Abstract:
This paper discusses the history and development of Islamic astronomy in Indonesia. During the Dutch
colonization in Indonesia there was a shift from Hijri to Gregorian (Miladiyah) calendar as the official
national calendar. After the independent day of Indonesia, the government of Indonesia has gradually
made amendments on the application of Islamic calendar. Ministry of Religious Affairs had been
founded on January 3, 1946, where the ministry had an authority to arrange holidays that included the
beginning of Ramadhan, Syawal and Zulhijjah. In the early 20th century, Islamic astronomy began to
flourish in this country along with the return of the young scholars to Indonesia. The development of
Islamic astronomy in Indonesia involves the Islamic calendar, prayers time, and the determination of
the Qibla.
