The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) is set to hold an isbat (determination) session on Sunday, May 17, 2026, to officially determine the start of Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 Hijri. This critical meeting will serve as the official declaration for when Muslims across Indonesia will celebrate Eid al-Adha 2026.
In the Islamic calendar, Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 Hijri. The upcoming session will take place at the H.M. Rasjidi Auditorium at the Ministry of Religious Affairs office in Jakarta.
The determination of Eid al-Adha involves an integrated approach combining hisab (astronomical calculation) and rukyat (the observation of the new crescent moon, or hilal). By utilizing both methods, the ministry aims to reach a comprehensive and accurate decision for the nation.
The Process of the Eid al-Adha 2026 Isbat Session
To ensure transparency, the determination process follows a structured series of stages:
- Hilal Position Seminar: The session begins with a presentation on the position of the hilal, utilizing astronomical data provided by the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Hisab and Rukyat Team. This seminar is broadcast publicly to ensure clear communication.
- Reporting Data: Following the seminar, the committee will compile and verify reports from various observation points spanning from western to eastern Indonesia.
- Formal Determination: Finally, the Minister of Religious Affairs will chair the session, carefully reviewing the findings and considering the perspectives of stakeholders before making the official announcement regarding the start of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Current Predictions for the New Moon
Preliminary astronomical data suggests that the position of the hilal on the 29th of Dhu al-Qa’dah 1447 Hijri may meet the criteria established by MABIMS (the Ministers of Religious Affairs of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore). Current projections indicate a hilal height of over 3 degrees and an elongation exceeding 6.4 degrees, theoretically meeting the requirements for visibility.
However, officials stress that this data is currently preliminary. The public is encouraged to await the official results of the isbat session on May 17, 2026, for the definitive confirmation of the Eid al-Adha holiday.
Government and Organization Perspectives
According to the official government calendar and the Joint Decree of Three Ministers regarding national holidays, Eid al-Adha 2026 is projected to fall on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. However, the final date remains subject to the official government isbat session.
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) aligns with the government’s approach, utilizing a combination of hisab and rukyat guided by the MABIMS criteria. Based on the NU Almanac, the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 Hijri is also expected to fall on May 27, 2026, though they will formally finalize this following the May 17 session.
Muhammadiyah has already established its schedule using the hisab hakiki wujudul hilal method. As stated in the decree from their Central Board, Muhammadiyah has officially designated May 27, 2026, as the day for Eid al-Adha 1447 Hijri. According to their calculations:
- 1 Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 H: Monday, May 18, 2026.
- Day of Arafah (9 Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 H): Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
- Eid al-Adha (10 Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 H): Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
While various organizations have released their findings, all eyes remain on the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ official announcement to provide a unified date for the celebration of Eid al-Adha across Indonesia.
Summary
The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs will hold an isbat session on May 17, 2026, to determine the start of Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 Hijri and officially set the date for Eid al-Adha. This process integrates astronomical calculations (hisab) with visual crescent moon observations (rukyat) to ensure an accurate decision. The session will take place in Jakarta, following a structured review of hilal positions and observational data from across the country.
While government and organizational projections, including those from Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, currently align on May 27, 2026, as the expected date for Eid al-Adha, the public is advised to await the final announcement. The preliminary data suggests the new moon may meet established MABIMS criteria, but the government’s official declaration remains the definitive authority for the national holiday schedule.
