Eid al-Fitr 2026 Could Be Different: MUI Urges Tolerance in Response

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Secretary General of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Amirsyah Tambunan, has urged Muslims in Indonesia to respond with tolerance if differences arise in determining the date for Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah. “However, if there are differences, a tolerant attitude (tasamuh) is needed in areas of disagreement (majalul i’tilaf),” said the man commonly known as Buya Amirsyah in an interview with Kompas.com on Wednesday (18/3/2026). Amirsyah explained that determining 1 Syawal involves two approaches: astronomical calculations and direct observation. Meanwhile, the role of the government or authorities is to establish or confirm the date. “Like a referee acting as a facilitator to bridge differences,” he stated. However, if differences persist, Buya Amirsyah called for a broad-minded attitude without mutual blame. “A tasamuh attitude in the form of open-mindedness so as not to provoke mutual accusations. The important thing is to have a strong foundation in seeking truth, not justification,” said Buya Amirsyah. The moon’s elongation angle ranges from 4 degrees 32 minutes 40 seconds to 6 degrees 6 minutes 11 seconds. According to the criteria agreed upon by the Ministers of Religious Affairs from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore (MABIMS), the moon’s height does not yet enter Syawal. “Based on calculations, the hilal height is around 0 to 3 degrees, with the highest in the Aceh region. Then for elongation, 4 to 6 degrees,” said Arsad during a press briefing in Jakarta on Monday (9/3/2026). He explained that under MABIMS standards, the hilal height must reach at least 3 degrees with a minimum elongation of 6.4 degrees. Although calculations suggest the hilal height may meet requirements in some areas, the elongation aspect still falls short of the minimum threshold in the MABIMS imkan rukyat criteria. “Under the MABIMS hilal visibility criteria, the elongation must be at least 6.4 degrees. So, based on MABIMS hilal visibility criteria, it is still not possible to be seen,” Arsad said. Under MABIMS criteria, Eid is likely to fall on 21 March 2026. “Therefore, 1 Syawal 1447 Hijriah or Eid al-Fitr 2026 has the potential to differ again between the government determination and Muhammadiyah, just like the determination of the start of Ramadan,” he added.