Yogyakarta- Based on the early data of Hijriyah Month, in Muhammadiyah 2014 calendar, which was the decision of Tarjih and Tajdid (Law and Reformation) Council of Central Muhammadiyah, the ijtima or astral conjunction will be on Friday, June 27, 2014 on 15:10:21 Local Time. In Yogyakarta, the moon will be on 0° 31' 17", in other words, when the sun sets, the moon position will be above the horizon. Therefore, 1 Ramadhan will begin on Saturday, June 28, 2014, in which Muslims will begin their Ramadhan Fasting on that day. In this case, they can start practicing Tarawih prayer on Friday night, June 27, 2014 after Isya’ prayer.
The information was stated by Iwan Setiawan, the vice Secretary of Literature and Information Council of Central Muhammadiyah, when he was asked about the news on mass media on the determination of fasting month by Muhammadiyah on Thursday (5/1). Iwan explained the headlines went viral in mass media based on the statement of Central Chairman of Muhammadiyah, Din Syamsuddin, in the opening of Sarasehan Astrofotografi (Astrophotography Workshop) on April 29th. Iwan gave different interpretation, “based on the explanation by the central board chairman, they could predict the moon sighting for Ramadhan on June 27, 2014; thus, after the sun sets, it will be the start of 1 Ramadhan 1435 H, since the start of Hijriyah Month is on Maghrib (sunset). Thus, we can begin fasting in the next day, which is June 28, 2014.” He explained that some headlines on mass media stating that Muhammadiyah decided that 1 Ramadhan will be on June 27 gave perception that they can start fasting on that very day. “Ijtima or the astral conjunction will be on June 27 as the end of the old month, and when the moon is above the horizon when the sun sets, it will be the start of 1 Ramadhan and we, Muslims, can start fasting on the next day, June 28, 2014,” he said.
Waiting for Notices (Maklumat)
Furthermore, Iwan Setiawan described that it was a habit for the Central Chairman of Muhammadiyah to release an official notice upon determining the start of Ramadhan, Syawal, and Dzulhijjah. “Therefore, as a member of Muhammadiyah, we will still wait for the official notice from the Central Executive of Muhammadiyah for the start of Ramadhan, Syawal, and Dzulhijjah. Since the accurate measurement, explanation, and suggestions from the Central Executive of Muhammadiyah will be included in the notices,” he concluded. (mac)
Tags: Muhammadiyah, Ramadhan, moon sighting, hilal, hisab