Indonesian govt to forge unity on idul fitri's date next year

Jakarta, NU Online
Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali said the government would make efforts to unite the views of Islamic organizations regarding the exact date of Idul Fitri next year.

The government would soon hold discussions with the Islamic organizations to unite their perceptions, he said after exchanging Idul Fitri greetings with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the palace here on Wednesday.

"God willing, if all Islamic organizations agree, we will meet to try to unite their perceptions. So let us not make a fuss about it anymore," he said referring to the fact that some Islamic organizations or sects had adhered to different Idul Fitri dates this year.

He said the discussion would involve various parties such as clerics, astronomers as well as researchers to unite criteria for determining the date of the event.

He said the difference in the date of Idul Fitri this year happened because according to Muhammadiyah organization the new month had come although the position of the new moon was still 0.1 degree while other organizations required minimally a 2.0 decree for them to be able to determine that the new month had arrived.

The minister said the government would seek efforts to unite their perceptions regarding the criteria. He said the government’s decision to set August 31 as the date of Idul Fitri was made in a meeting involving various parties and Islamic organizations and through a thorough research.

He denied that it was aimed at discrediting certain organization who felt that its voice had not been heard at the meeting. The minister said the representative of Muhammadiyah organization attended the meeting on Monday evening, August 29, 2011, and had stated the organization would respect the view that the fall of Idul Fitri was on August 31 while asking for permission to conduct Idul Fitri prayers on Tuesday, August 30.  (dar)