UMSU’s Observatory of Falactic Science (OIF), with various sophisticated telescope facilities, has become the observation point of rakyat (hilal monitoring) by the Medan City Government.
The Medan City Government’s hilal monitoring began with a discussion session at the graduate campus hall on Jalan Denai, Medan, on Sunday (10/3).
The government made OIF UMSU one of the hilal observation points from 3 monitoring points in North Sumatra, namely one in Barus and two in Medan City. Several telescopes and sophisticated astronomical equipment have been prepared.
The monitoring was attended by the Mayor of Medan, represented by the Assistant for Government and People’s Welfare of the Medan City Secretariat, M Sofyan, M.Ap, UMSU Rector Prof. Dr. Agussani, MAP, Chairman of MUI Medan, Dr. H. Hasan Matsum, MAg, Head of the Medan City Ministry of Religion Office, Dr. H. Impun Siregar, MA, BMKG Deli Serdang, Chairman of PDM Medan City, Maulana Siregar, MA and Chairman of PDM Medan City.
Medan, Maulana Siregar, MA, and leaders of other Islamic organizations in Medan City.
In his presentation, the Head of OIF UMSU, Dr. Arwin Juli Rakhmadi Butar-Butar, explained that the hilal height was 00 degrees 16′ and the elongation was 01 degrees 52′. This has also been proven through a telescope. Then, he said that based on Muhammadiyah’s calculations, because the hilal had entered 0 points and a degree, Sunday night, March 10, 2024, counted as having entered 1 Ramadan 1445 H.
“Based on Muhammadiyah’s calculation, Ramadan has entered, and tonight tarawih has started,” he said.
Meanwhile, M. Sofyan said that it was confirmed that the hilal had not been seen at this time. However, several points will be combined, which will be a reference to determine the beginning of Ramadan.
“The differences are expected based on the scientific foundations that are owned.
Rukyatul hilal is the door for Muslims to determine the beginning of Ramadan. Proving that Muslims are serious about implementing his rakyat, “said Sofyan.
Furthermore, the Rector of UMSU said that hilal observation by the Medan City Government at OIF UMSU is an annual agenda item. Facilitating hilal monitoring is part of community service. In the future, he hopes that UMSU, which also has a Falak Science study program, can improve Falak Science equipment and human resources even more.
“Of course, momentum like this has been carried out yearly since 2017. Our steps embrace every stakeholder. Hopefully, the facilities in OIF can develop even better to become a forum for community service from the Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara,” said Prof. Agussani.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) also supports the implementation of hilal monitoring on the seventh floor of the postgraduate building.