Fasting and Islamic Preaching on Social Media
A significant portion of Indonesian Muslims began fasting during Ramadan 1447 Hijri on 18 February 2026, in accordance with the decision of the Central Leadership of Muhammadiyah regarding the commencement of Ramadan, Shawwal, and Dhul-Hijjah. Since 1447 Hijri, Muhammadiyah has adopted the Global Unified Hijri Calendar (KGHT), which was launched in 2025.
As Muslims in Indonesia, we face considerable challenges regarding social media behaviour that increasingly lacks decorum, evidenced by the low level of digital civility among internet users. Indonesian netizens (+62) are known for their significant influence and high activity on social media. Although creative, Microsoft’s Digital Civility Index (DCI) research has highlighted the low digital civility standards of Indonesian netizens in Southeast Asia, stemming from high rates of hoaxes and hate speech.
Some Indonesian internet users still regard the digital world as separate from the real world, yet the digital realm is simply a new world that is equally real. The DCI survey from 2016-2021 demonstrated an increase in exposure to false news and hate speech in Indonesia. In seeking solutions, we must certainly develop strategic plans to utilise social media in a way that fosters civilised and courteous behaviour.
According to Google Trends data on searches related to religious topics, particularly during Ramadan, there has been a significant increase. Preaching applications and websites are increasingly proliferating, offering online learning, digital sermons, and Muslim communities. This data demonstrates that much of the Indonesian population has already made a positive contribution to using the internet as a medium for Islamic preaching. Amid these intertwined opportunities and challenges, Indonesian Muslims face a strategic imperative to utilise social media responsibly.
The role of Muslims in preaching is not solely the responsibility of religious preachers but also of ordinary citizens. On social media, for instance, we can provide positive information during and after Ramadan. We should create preaching communities that produce positive content en masse as a form of digital media education. We can access and share content from Lensamu, MPKSDI, Majelis Tabligh, and Muhammadiyah’s Council of Religious Scholars and Religious Renewal, as well as from preachers such as Ustaz Adi Hidayat, Ustaz Fathurahman Kamal, Ustaz Irfan Rizki Has, Ustaz Das’ad Latif, and Ustaz Rifky Jafar Thalib.
As Indonesian Muslims, it is important that we become uswah hasanah—good examples in life, including in our social media conduct. Do not allow our Ramadan worship to remain silent. Through fasting, every Muslim who observes it will attain true happiness founded upon the treasure of piety as mentioned in the Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah: 183.