The City Government (Pemko) of Medan cooperates with the Observatory of Astronomy (OIF) Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) to monitor the Rukyatul Hilal to determine the start of Ramadhan 1444 Hijriah/2023 M.
This is not Pemko Medan’s first collaboration with OIF UMSU to monitor the new moon. Pemko Medan cooperates with OIF UMSU because it has complete facilities. The hilal observation will be carried out Wednesday (22/3) at UMSU Postgraduate, Jl. Denai No. 217, Medan Denai, Medan City.
OIF UMSU is one of the 101 national hilal monitoring centers. There are two hilal monitoring centers in the North Sumatra region, namely OIF UMSU and the North Sumatra Governor’s Office.
According to the Head of OIF UMSU, Dr. Arwin Juli Rahmadi Butarbutar, observing the new moon has become a routine every day, month, and year. So that this monitoring is not only carried out when welcoming Ramadhan and Shawwal.
“Especially for welcoming Ramadan, Pemko Medan requested and made OIF UMSU a facilitator who prepared facilities, binoculars, and telescopes for hilal observing officers,” said Dr. Arwin.
The head of OIF UMSU also informed us that two main telescopes would be placed in the sliding room. In that room, the Mayor of Medan, Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution, S.E., Rector of UMSU, Prof. Dr. Agussani, and other guests will monitor the new moon.
Dr. Arwin explained that OIF UMSU was ready to monitor the new moon on Wednesday (22/3/2023).
“Alhamdulillah, in general, preparations are very well prepared. From March 20-21, the OIF team has been prepared and on standby with several telescopes,” he explained during an interview.
The Mayor of Medan, Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution, S.E., M.M., Chair of the MUI, Rector of UMSU, Prof. Dr. Agussani, MAP, 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 Medan City to leaders of Islamic organizations throughout Medan City.
