04 July 2016•Update: 05 July 2016
By Ainur Rohmah
TUBAN, Indonesia
Indonesia's ministry of religious affairs ruled Monday that Muslims in the country will celebrate Eid Al Fitr on Wednesday after receiving a report that the new moon is still not visible over the entire country.
Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin said that for some of the observers -- situated at 90 points around the country -- the new moon had still not been sighted (known locally as ru'yah).
"In all the regions, not all observers could see the moon as it remains under the horizon," he said, adding that this would see the Ramadan fasting period extend to 30 days.
"Thus the first day of [the month of] Shawal will fall Wednesday," Syaifuddin was quoted as saying by Metro TV.
Indonesia's second biggest Muslim organization, Muhammadiyah, had previously announced that Eid would fall July 6 (Wednesday) by the method of astronomic calculation (hisab).
The government has estimated that around 26 million people are expected to travel by road, sea and air -- a voyage known locally as mudik -- to celebrate Eid in their hometowns.
Security has been tightened in areas such as airports, in light of recent attacks on other countries.
In Turkey, Eid Al Fitr begins on Tuesday according to Diyanet -- Turkey's presidency of religious affairs.
