Muslim clerics and students from the Al-Hidayah Basmol Islamic Boarding School in West Jakarta said they were able to get a glimpse of the new moon, or "hilal," from the rooftop of the nearby Al Musariin mosque on Thursday, which meant the fasting month of Ramadan could officially begin today. 

Viewing the hilal is a tradition for Muslims in Indonesia before Ramadan every year. Sometimes there are disputes as to whether the hilal can be seen with the naked eye, leading to some Muslims beginning Ramadan a day early or late.