Muslims in Indonesia began fasting for the Ramadan festive month on 6 May.

Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin said the ministry had received nine reports on sightings of the moon in 102 observation points across the country to decide the beginning day of the most holy month of the year for Muslims in Indonesia.

This decision was also considered at a meeting with representatives from the Supreme Court, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN), the Geospatial Information Agency (BIG), and experts from Islamic organisations, according to the Minister.

On 5 May, Tarawih prayer ceremony was observed in all mosques before the start of the fasting month.

Ahead of the festive month, the Indonesian government has worked with ministries and relevant agencies such as the Ministry of State Owned Enterprises, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Trade to conduct all necessary preparations, especially dealing with the instability of prices of staple foods like beef, onion and chilli, which often occurs during this time.

Every year, about 1.7 billion Muslims around the world, accounting for nearly 25 percent of the global population, perform rituals for Ramadan.

(Source: VNA)