Muhammadiyah Chairman Urges Muslims to Respond Wisely to Differences Over Start of Ramadan
The Central Board (PP) of Muhammadiyah has determined that the start of Ramadan 1447 Hijriah falls on Wednesday, 18 February 2026. Muhammadiyah Central Board Chairman Haedar Nashir urged that differences over the start of Ramadan need not be filled with mutual recrimination.
“This is a space for ijtihad [independent reasoning], so there is no need to blame one another, and no one should feel that they alone are correct,” Haedar said on Tuesday (17 February).
He stated that differences must be approached with wisdom, as the purpose of fasting is to increase piety.
“Differences must be responded to with prudence and wisdom. Moreover, the primary purpose of fasting is to increase taqwa [piety], both on a personal and collective level,” he said.
Haedar also urged that Muslims observe the Ramadan 1447 H fast with calm, peace, maturity, and without being disturbed by the commotion of life, including disagreements over the start of Ramadan.
“In a broader context, it is hoped that Ramadan will make us the best community — excellent in spirituality, ever faithful and devoted to Allah, as well as in ever-advancing knowledge and the ever-wider spreading of goodness,” Haedar said.
As is widely known, Muhammadiyah determines the start of Ramadan based on the results of the hisab hakiki wujudulhilal (astronomical calculation of the new moon’s existence), guided by the Muhammadiyah Central Board’s Council for Religious Rulings and Reform (Majelis Tarjih dan Tajdid). Through Proclamation Number 2/MLM/1.0/E/2025, Muhammadiyah set 1 Ramadan as falling on 18 February 2026.
Based on this proclamation, Muhammadiyah will begin observing the Ramadan fast on Wednesday, 18 February 2026. Meanwhile, Eid al-Fitr, or 1 Syawal 1447 H, has been set for Friday, 20 March 2026.
The government held its isbat session on the same day. The session was convened to determine the official start of Ramadan 2026 or 1447 Hijriah.
As cited from the Public Relations and Communications Bureau of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) and the official Instagram account of the Directorate General of Islamic Community Guidance at Kemenag on Tuesday (17 February 2026), the isbat session was held at Hotel Borobudur, Central Jakarta. The session was also broadcast live on the Bimas Islam TV and Kemenag YouTube channels.
Proceedings began at 16:30 Western Indonesian Time (WIB), starting with a seminar on the position of the hilal (new crescent moon). The isbat session itself then commenced at 18:30 WIB.
The government subsequently announced the results of the isbat session through a press conference, with the outcome announced at 19:05 WIB.