Wait for official Hari Raya date announcement, Sarawak Muslims urged amid speculation

KUCHING (March 14): Muslims in Sarawak have been urged to wait for the official announcement of Hari Raya Aidilfitri from the relevant authorities and to avoid speculating that the celebration may fall on an earlier date this year.

State Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Project Coordinator for Regional Development Agencies, DBKU and Islamic Affairs) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said speculation that Aidilfitri might be celebrated on March 20 (Friday) instead of the initially expected March 21 (Saturday) is merely an assumption and not an official decision.

“That is only speculation. On March 19, I will lead a delegation from the Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS), the Sarawak Islamic Religious Department (JAIS), as well as several other agencies including the Sarawak Attorney General’s Chambers (SAG) for the Syawal crescent sighting ceremony, or Rukyah Hilal Syawal, at Damai Resort here.

“Only after sighting the crescent moon will we be able to officially announce the date for 1 Syawal or Hari Raya Aidilfitri,” he told reporters after officiating the Islamic Information Centres (IIC)-Cares @ Family 2026: Semarak Kasih Ramadan programme at Surau Raudzatul Salihin in Kampung Boyan here.

Dr Abdul Rahman explained that the speculation about an “early Aidilfitri” may have arisen because Muslims in the Middle East, Europe, and the United Kingdom began fasting a day earlier than those in Malaysia.

“They started fasting a day earlier and assumed that Aidilfitri might fall on Friday in their countries.

“However, in Malaysia we began fasting a day later and are still waiting for the results of the hilal sighting,” he said.

He noted that the Syawal crescent sighting will be conducted at three locations across the state — Damai Resort in Telok Bandung, the Miri Falak Centre, and the Bintulu Falak Centre — on the evening of March 19.

Dr Abdul Rahman advised Muslims in Sarawak to wait for the official announcement from the Sarawak Islamic Council, particularly the Mufti Department, as well as the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal of Malaysia, which will be made in the evening or at night on the same day.

He explained that the date for 1 Syawal in Malaysia is determined based on two factors: the sighting of the crescent moon and astronomical calculations.

“We cannot make an early announcement because it is our practice in Malaysia to wait for both determinations, particularly from the Mufti Departments throughout the country, before it is officially announced by the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal,” he added.

On the IIC-Cares @ Family 2026: Semarak Kasih Ramadan programme, Dr Abdul Rahman said it was organised to ease the burden of selected asnaf families by distributing essential food items in preparation for Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

“This programme also aims to strengthen ties between IIC-MIS, strategic partners and the local community through a welfare and community-based approach.

“It also nurtures values of compassion and social responsibility among IIC-MIS personnel, in line with the organisation’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) aspirations through the flagship IIC-Cares programme,” he said.

Earlier, 20 asnaf (underprivileged) families from Kampung Boyan received food assistance.

In addition, 500 packs of bubur kacang were distributed to residents in the area through the programme, which was organised by IIC, Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak (TBS), Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Pantai Damai Youth Movement, Seoul Hot Pot, and other agencies.