East Java's NU to follow PBNU on rukyatul hilal

Jakarta, NU Online
Chairman of the East Java's NU Regional Board (PWNU) KH Mutawakkil Alallah said that the PWNU would follow the guidance of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) in dealing with the beginning of Ramadhan and Idul Fitri holiday.

"Insya Allah (God willing) our lebaran (idul fitri holiday) and fasting will be the same as the PBNU," he told NU Online after meeting with general chairman of the PBNU KH Hasyim Muzadi on Wednesday (27/8).<>

Concerning the first day of Ramadhan, the PWNU will also send its committee of astrological work (lajnah falakiyah) to do a crescent observation (rukyatul hilal) with naked ayes on Sunday, 31 August 2008/29 Sya'ban 1429 (in Islamic calendar).

"In accordance with astronomical calculation, we will perhaps start jointly fasting and we will announce after maghrib, at least after Isya prayer," he said.

Last year, not all NU members celebrated Idul Fitri on the same day as the PBNU decided. In East Java, an NU stronghold, many  celebrated it on a different day because they have used a different method to calculate the end of the fasting month. (mkf)