Eight Million Muhammadiyah Members in East Java Begin First Tarawih Prayers Tonight

Some eight million Muhammadiyah members in East Java began performing their first tarawih prayers on Tuesday evening, following the organisation’s determination that 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijriah falls on Wednesday 18 February 2026.

Sukadiono, Chairman of Muhammadiyah’s East Java Regional Leadership (PWM Jatim), said the branch was following the decree issued by the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership, which had already fixed the date for 1 Ramadan 1447 H.

“In accordance with the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership’s decree, 1 Ramadan will fall on 18 February 2026, which is Wednesday tomorrow,” Sukadiono said on Tuesday.

Prior to the first tarawih prayers, Sukadiono explained, the organisation had announced the date well in advance so that all members could prepare the necessary facilities and infrastructure for prayer venues.

Sukadiono noted that there are 5,400 Muhammadiyah mosques and prayer halls across East Java, all of which would hold the first tarawih prayers on Tuesday evening.

“Because the announcement was made well in advance, starting from November, all Muhammadiyah mosques — through the branch development body, sub-branch offices and mosque management units — have already been coordinated via the Muhammadiyah district and branch leaderships to make preparations for the tarawih prayers being held tonight,” he said.

As Muhammadiyah members would be commencing tarawih and Ramadan observances earlier than some others, Sukadiono urged members to respect and appreciate any differences in the start of Ramadan compared with the Ministry of Religious Affairs or other Islamic organisations.

The divergence in determining the start of Ramadan, he said, is a common occurrence that has also happened in previous years. He expressed gratitude that both Muhammadiyah members and congregants of other Islamic organisations have shown maturity and mutual respect.

“We certainly hope that Muhammadiyah members can maintain their courtesy and orderliness in performing tarawih prayers without, for example, making a show of force,” he said.

“So, the volume of sound systems and speakers should also be kept in check, so that we do not cause offence to other groups,” he added.