Jakarta, (Antara) - The government held a closed confirmation meeting to decide the first day of the fasting month of Ramadan 1437 Hegira to avoid misunderstanding among the public.
"People just want to know about the result and not the debate. The debate to decide the first day of the fasting month is not for public consumption," Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin remarked here on Sunday.
The minister pointed out that the debate will potentially create a misunderstanding.
Earlier, Minister Saifuddin, here on Sunday evening, had announced that Monday, June 6, 2016, will be the first day of the fasting month of Ramadan 1437 Hegira.
The minister made the remarks after presiding over a hearing attended by General Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council Ma'ruf Amin and several chiefs of Islamic mass organizations, including Islamic figures in Jakarta.
After announcing the first day of the holy month of Ramadhan, Minister Saifuddin was scheduled to perform the Tarawih prayers, or the evening prayers during the fasting month, at the Istiqlal Grand Mosque along with several Muslims in Jakarta.(*)
