Muhammadiyah Calls for Tolerance Over Differing Ramadan Start Dates
The chairman of Muhammadiyah's central leadership, Haedar Nashir, has called on Muslims not to become embroiled in technical debates over the differing dates for the start of Ramadan fasting this year.
Muhammadiyah will begin its first day of Ramadan fasting on Wednesday, 18 February 2026. Haedar urged all Muslims to respond to the difference with wisdom and a spirit of tolerance.
According to Haedar, the diversity in determining the start of Ramadan falls within the realm of ijtihad (independent reasoning) and should not trigger mutual blame or a sense of self-righteousness among different groups.
"These differences must be addressed wisely and prudently, as the primary purpose of fasting is to enhance the quality of taqwa (piety), both individually and collectively," Haedar said on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
Haedar also invited every Muslim to shift their focus towards substantive matters — namely how fasting can help achieve true piety. This can be realised through obedience in carrying out God's commandments, avoiding prohibitions, and bringing about the highest good in life.
With intelligence and strong faith, he expressed optimism that Muslims would be able to attain a higher degree of nobility without being distracted by the commotion surrounding differences over the start of Ramadan.
Haedar expressed his hope that Ramadan 1447 H would serve as a moment to improve daily conduct and public morality for every individual. He urged that the observance be carried out with calm, peace and mature character in order to form excellent Muslims.
Haedar reminded that in a broader context, Ramadan is expected to enhance spiritual quality whilst simultaneously deepening mastery of knowledge beneficial to humanity. Should the quality of the Muslim community fail to improve significantly, he warned that glory and dignity in creating an advanced civilisation would be difficult to achieve.
Beyond the spiritual dimension, Haedar also highlighted the economic aspect, which he said still requires hard work and earnestness so that Muslims do not become fatalistic or simply resign themselves to fate.
"Fasting should serve as practical training for the community to live more efficiently, modestly and frugally — values which are the foundation of economic progress needed to be on par with other civilisations in the world," he said.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs conducted observations of the Ramadan 1447 H new moon (hilal) on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at 96 locations across Indonesia.
The deputy chairman of the Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI), KH M Cholil Nafis, noted that the start of Ramadan 1447 H was likely to differ among Indonesian Muslims. Cholil called on the community to respond maturely.
"It is almost certain that there will be differences in beginning Ramadan. Some have already determined the start of Ramadan as 18 February, as they use astronomical calculations as well as the global calendar," Cholil said.
The isbat session was to be attended by various parties, including ambassadors from friendly nations, the chairman of House of Representatives Commission VIII, representatives from the Supreme Court, the Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI), the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the Geospatial Information Agency (BIG), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the Bosscha Observatory at ITB, the Jakarta Planetarium, astronomical experts from various Islamic organisations, leaders of Islamic community organisations, Islamic boarding schools, and the Ministry of Religious Affairs' Hisab Rukyat Team.
Muhammadiyah will begin its first day of Ramadan fasting on Wednesday, 18 February 2026. Haedar urged all Muslims to respond to the difference with wisdom and a spirit of tolerance.
According to Haedar, the diversity in determining the start of Ramadan falls within the realm of ijtihad (independent reasoning) and should not trigger mutual blame or a sense of self-righteousness among different groups.
"These differences must be addressed wisely and prudently, as the primary purpose of fasting is to enhance the quality of taqwa (piety), both individually and collectively," Haedar said on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
Haedar also invited every Muslim to shift their focus towards substantive matters — namely how fasting can help achieve true piety. This can be realised through obedience in carrying out God's commandments, avoiding prohibitions, and bringing about the highest good in life.
With intelligence and strong faith, he expressed optimism that Muslims would be able to attain a higher degree of nobility without being distracted by the commotion surrounding differences over the start of Ramadan.
Haedar expressed his hope that Ramadan 1447 H would serve as a moment to improve daily conduct and public morality for every individual. He urged that the observance be carried out with calm, peace and mature character in order to form excellent Muslims.
Haedar reminded that in a broader context, Ramadan is expected to enhance spiritual quality whilst simultaneously deepening mastery of knowledge beneficial to humanity. Should the quality of the Muslim community fail to improve significantly, he warned that glory and dignity in creating an advanced civilisation would be difficult to achieve.
Beyond the spiritual dimension, Haedar also highlighted the economic aspect, which he said still requires hard work and earnestness so that Muslims do not become fatalistic or simply resign themselves to fate.
"Fasting should serve as practical training for the community to live more efficiently, modestly and frugally — values which are the foundation of economic progress needed to be on par with other civilisations in the world," he said.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs conducted observations of the Ramadan 1447 H new moon (hilal) on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at 96 locations across Indonesia.
The deputy chairman of the Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI), KH M Cholil Nafis, noted that the start of Ramadan 1447 H was likely to differ among Indonesian Muslims. Cholil called on the community to respond maturely.
"It is almost certain that there will be differences in beginning Ramadan. Some have already determined the start of Ramadan as 18 February, as they use astronomical calculations as well as the global calendar," Cholil said.
The isbat session was to be attended by various parties, including ambassadors from friendly nations, the chairman of House of Representatives Commission VIII, representatives from the Supreme Court, the Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI), the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the Geospatial Information Agency (BIG), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the Bosscha Observatory at ITB, the Jakarta Planetarium, astronomical experts from various Islamic organisations, leaders of Islamic community organisations, Islamic boarding schools, and the Ministry of Religious Affairs' Hisab Rukyat Team.