Muslims in Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand to celebrate Hari Raya on Saturday

SINGAPORE: Muslims in Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand will celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri on Sat (Apr 22) as well.

In the island republic of Singapore, Mufti Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, in an announcement on the Islamic Religious Council’s (MUIS) website today (Apr 20), said:

“According to astronomical calculations, the crescent for the month of Syawal did not appear this evening after sunset. This signifies that tomorrow (Apr 21) will be the end of 30 days of Ramadan.

“As such, I am pleased to announce that the first day of Syawal or Hari Raya Aidilfitri for year 1444H falls on Sat, Apr 22”.

He also took the opportunity to wish all Muslims in Singapore ‘Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri’.

“I seek your forgiveness for any shortcomings. May our Muslim community stay united in overcoming all challenges with compassion and empathy,” he added.

In the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said Aidilfitri will be on Sat (Apr 22) as “the crescent for the month of Syawal at Maghrib in Indonesia has not met the criteria”.

The minister was referring to the criteria set by the Minister of Religion of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore (MABIMS) based on the agreement in 2021.

It is used officially for the determination of the beginning of the Hijri month on the official government calendar.

Following the announcement, Ramadan goes on for another day in the most populous Muslim-majority country and Syawal is the day after that (Sat).

In Thailand, Sheikhul Islam of Thailand, Aziz Phitakkumpon also declared Sat (Apr 22) as the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri in the country, after it was confirmed that the new crescent moon was not sighted.

“So, with due process, I declare Sat (Apr 22) as the first day of Aidilfitri,” he said in a statement. – Bernama