Mayor of Medan, Bobby Afif Nasution, S.E., M.M accompanied by UMSU Rector Prof. Dr. Agussani, MAP, monitored the first new moon of Ramadhan 1444 H at the Astronomy Observatory (OIF) located at the postgraduate campus of Muhammadiyah University of North Sumatra on Jalan Denai, Medan, Wednesday (22/3).
The monitoring was also attended by the Chairman of the Medan MUI, Dr. H. Hasan Matsum, MAg, Head of the Medan City Ministry of Religion Office, Dr. H. Impun Siregar, MA, BMKG Deli Serdang, and leaders of Islamic organizations throughout Medan City. OIF UMSU Provides three sophisticated telescopes for hilal observations.
OIF UMSU is one of the Hilal observation points from 124 locations throughout Indonesia. For North Sumatra Province, there are two designated points: the Pavilion IX Floor, North Sumatra Governor’s Office, Jalan Diponegoro No. 30 Medan. Next, the Observatory of Astronomy (OIF) Postgraduate Building Muhammadiyah University of North Sumatra (UMSU) Jalan Panglima Denai Medan.
Head of the UMSU Astronomy Observatory, Dr. Arwin Juli Rahmadi Butarbutar, confirmed that 1 Ramadhan 1444 H falls on Thursday, tomorrow.
The results of early Ramadan hilal observations with an altitude of 8° 7′ at 18:34, when the sun sets in Medan City, reckoning the presence of the hilal has the potential to be observed throughout Indonesia. Because the height of the new moon has met the requirements.
Furthermore, the position of the new moon has met Muhammadiyah’s criteria. This determination uses the Hakiki Wujudul Hilal reckoning method from Muhammadiyah.
“According to Muhammadiyah, the Government, and other mass organizations, 1 Ramadhan 1444 Hijriyah is set for Thursday, March 23, 2023,” said Arwin.
Meanwhile, Mayor Bobby Afif Nasution said the determination of the start of Ramadan was an exciting phenomenon. Differences in the methods used should be adequately addressed because they are part of Islam’s wealth of scientific treasures.
He hopes that in fasting in the month of Ramadan, we can appreciate and respect each other, “Hopefully, our worship for one full month will be blessed by Allah SWT,” he said.
Previously, the Rector of UMSU, Prof. Dr. Agussani, MAP, also briefly introduced the establishment of OIF UMSU and the opening of the study program in Astronomy, which has only two in Indonesia.
