Daftarsbmptn.com – For the first time in the history of determining the start of Ramadan, the Central Government Core Area (KIPP) of the Indonesian Capital City (IKN) was designated as one of the primary crescent moon (hilal) observation points (rukyatul hilal). This moment symbolizes the integration of religious traditions with the national progress being built in Indonesia’s new capital.
The crescent moon observation took place on Tuesday afternoon (February 17, 2026) local time, in collaboration with the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). Strategic observation locations were selected in the ASN 1 Tower D apartment complex and the IKN State Mosque area, supported by modern astronomical equipment such as telescopes and other supporting equipment.
According to the Head of the IKN Authority, Basuki Hadimuljono, the selection of the IKN as one of the crescent moon observation points represents an honor and a new momentum for the nation’s capital. He stated that the IKN serves not only as a center of government but also as a space for national-level cultural and religious activities.
“The selection of the new capital city (IKN) as the crescent moon observation location sends a strong message that Indonesia’s future capital city will be a national symbol that combines tradition and modernity,” he said.
Furthermore, the new capital city is seen as having a geographical advantage. The high and open observation point in this area is considered very conducive to optimal crescent moon viewing. The BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency) has dispatched a team of experts to assist in the monitoring process, including calculating the crescent moon’s position and measuring the moon’s altitude and elongation angle.
However, preliminary results from the new moon observation at the new capital city indicate that the crescent moon has not yet been visible above the horizon and does not meet the visibility criteria agreed upon by the MABIMS member countries (Ministries of Religious Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore), namely a minimum crescent moon altitude of 3 degrees with a minimum elongation angle of 6.4 degrees.
Technical data from the BMKG reveals that the crescent moon at the new capital city is slightly below the horizon, so astronomically, it does not meet the visual requirements for determining the beginning of the month. Nevertheless, this monitoring remains a crucial part of a more comprehensive process for determining the start of Ramadan, as observations from various monitoring points will be compiled and discussed in an Isbat (Cross-Eye Observation) Session.
The Isbat Session, held by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, serves as the official forum for determining the start of Ramadan. The results of this session will then be announced to the public and form the basis for deciding when Muslims in Indonesia will begin fasting. During this session, reports from the capital city and other locations are submitted for primary consideration.
Religious community components, such as the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), are also involved in this process to provide a religious perspective that is valid according to sharia, while the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) provides precise scientific data support. This collaboration demonstrates the government’s efforts to combine hisab (astronomical calculations) and rukyat (direct observation) in the process of accurately and fairly determining the start of Ramadan.
The crescent moon observation activity at the capital city has also received a positive response from various groups. Many see the inclusion of the new capital city in the rukyat tradition as a demonstration of the capital city’s significant role in national life, not only in governance and development aspects, but also in the social and cultural spheres. The integration of religious traditions with the utilization of a strategic location in the center of the country is considered capable of strengthening an inclusive national identity.
Meanwhile, communities in several other regions are also observing the crescent moon at local observation points throughout Indonesia. All observations will be synchronized and decided upon in an Isbat (Confirmation of Faith) meeting before officially announcing when Muslims will begin fasting for Ramadan 1447 Hijri.
With this historic momentum, the crescent moon observation at the new capital city not only marks a new milestone in Indonesia’s astronomical and religious traditions, but also affirms the role of the future capital city as a space for community togetherness and a symbol of national progress.