Jakarta (Antara Bali) -- A majority of Muslims in Indonesia will observe the first day of Ramadan on Thursday, following the government's official announcement made by Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin here on Tuesday.
The date declared is the same as the first day of the fasting month that Muhammadiyah, Indonesia's second-largest Islamic organization after Nahdlatul Ulama, had announced earlier.
According to Evan Irawan Akbar, a researcher of Observatorium Bosscha, the new crescent moon that would mark the beginning of Ramadan could not be sighted in the country's only astronomical observatory in Lembang, West Java, and numerous other parts of Indonesia on Tuesday.
With regard to the upcoming Ramadan, Governor of West Java Ahmad Heryawan said he would perform the Tarawih prayer (the evening prayer of Ramadan) at a number of different mosques during the fasting month.
"The first Tarawih prayer will be performed at Pusdai Mosque," he stated, adding that Ramadan will enable him to get closer to the almighty God, foster solidarity with people and enjoy good health. (WDY)
Indonesian Muslims To Start Observing Ramadan On Thursday: Minister
Pewarta : Reported by Feri Purnama and Ajat Sudrajat 17 Juni 2015 11:39 WIB
