Ministry of Religious Affairs Calls for Peacebuilding Ahead of Islamic New Year 2026
Muslims in Indonesia are welcoming the Islamic New Year 1 Muharam 1448 Hijriah, or Islamic New Year 2026, with a spirit of self-improvement and strengthening social awareness. This Hijriah new year moment is considered not only spiritually meaningful but also a call to build solidarity and bring about peace, including within the digital sphere.
Director of Islamic Religious Affairs and Sharia Guidance at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Arsad Hidayat, stated that Muharam carries a message of ‘hijrah’ that remains relevant in modern society. According to him, hijrah is not merely a physical relocation, but a change in attitude towards a better life that benefits others.
“The Muharam reflection invites us to ask ourselves whether the worship we have performed so far has brought benefits to our surroundings. Ideal piety is piety that is able to bring about care and welfare for others,” Arsad said, as quoted on Monday (15/6).
He explained that Islamic teachings, through Surah Al-Ma’un, emphasise that religiosity is not sufficiently manifested through personal worship alone. Concern for orphans, the poor, and vulnerable groups is an important part of implementing religious values in daily life.
Arsad added that this spirit aligns with various empowerment programmes run by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, ranging from strengthening the function of mosques to optimising zakat and waqf to assist the community. Therefore, Muharam is deemed the right moment to strengthen the culture of sharing and mutual cooperation.
“Do not let worship stop at rituals. Muharam reminds us that religiosity must give birth to empathy, care, and real contributions for those in need,” he said.
Meanwhile, Head of the Sub-directorate for Hisab Rukyat and Sharia, Ismail Fahmi, highlighted the importance of bringing the spirit of hijrah into the digital realm. According to him, social media has now become an inseparable part of people’s lives and must be utilised to spread positive and soothing messages.
He assessed that maintaining peace is not only done through real actions but also through polite and responsible communication in cyberspace. The public is urged to be wiser in conveying information and opinions on social media.
“Hijrah in the digital era means changing the way we interact. Our fingers must become a means of spreading knowledge, inspiration, and soothing messages, not the opposite,” said Ismail Fahmi.
According to Ismail, religious counsellors have an important role in expanding religious literacy that is friendly and easily understood by the public. Their presence is expected to strengthen the dissemination of religious messages that foster optimism, brotherhood, and social care. “This spirit is also in line with the strengthening of an inclusive religious service ecosystem as continuously encouraged by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar. Through the momentum of 1 Muharam 1448 H (Islamic New Year 2026), the community is expected not only to renew their spiritual spirit but also to strengthen their commitment to bringing benefits and peace to their surroundings,” he concluded.