Eid al-Fitr 2026: Date and Schedule for Shawwal 1447 H & Isbat Session
As Muslims enter the final phase of Ramadan 1447 Hijriah, questions about the date of Eid al-Fitr 2026 are intensifying discussion. Based on astronomical data and official calendars, there exists potential divergence in the Eid al-Fitr celebration date between the Indonesian Government and Muhammadiyah organisation.
Muhammadiyah’s Central Leadership has definitively established through Declaration Number 2/MLM/I.0/E/2025 that 1 Shawwal 1447 H, or Eid al-Fitr 2026, falls on Friday, 20 March 2026. Muhammadiyah employs the Hisab Hakiki Wujudul Hilal method, whereby the moon’s position mathematically satisfies the criteria for a new month on the night of Thursday, 19 March 2026.
In contrast, the Government through the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) are predicted to establish Eid al-Fitr 1447 H on Saturday, 21 March 2026. This determination is based on the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ scheduled Isbat session for establishing 1 Shawwal 1447 H on Thursday, 19 March 2026. The session will take place at the H.M. Rasjidi Auditorium, Ministry of Religious Affairs office, Jakarta, beginning at 16:00 Western Indonesian Time, with results announced directly that evening.
Despite the potential difference in celebration dates, the government has established public holidays through a three-ministerial joint decree. Notably, in 2026 there occurs proximity between Eid al-Fitr and Nyepi, Bali’s sacred day, which may enable an extended holiday period or long weekend of up to ten days for those taking additional leave.
The Ministry of Transportation estimates that the number of Eid al-Fitr travellers this year will reach 143.91 million persons, constituting 50.6% of the nation’s population. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has targeted operational assistance funds for early childhood centres (Raudhatul Athfal) and madrasah operational assistance in the first phase of 2026 to be disbursed before Eid al-Fitr. Additionally, the Ministry of Transportation has prepared a free Eid al-Fitr travel programme for 2026 as a measure to reduce travel expenses for the public.