Muhammadiyah Chairman Urges Not to Sharpen Differences Over Eid al-Fitr
The General Chairman of Muhammadiyah’s Central Leadership, Haedar Nashir, highlighted the differences in determining Eid al-Fitr following the Eid prayer and delivered a sermon at Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta (UMY) on Friday, 20 March 2026.
Muhammadiyah’s Central Leadership has determined that Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah falls on this Friday, differing from the government’s determination of Saturday, 21 March 2026.
Haedar urged the public not to sharpen these differences. He emphasised that differences are natural and should not become a source of conflict. “There is no need to sharpen differences, let alone seek self-justification by blaming others. Both in the context of citizenship and government, all parties must exercise restraint,” stated Haedar.
Furthermore, Haedar invited the entire community, including national elites, to use the momentum of Eid al-Fitr to draw closer to Allah. He also stressed the importance of embodying the values of ihsan in personal life as well as in national and state life.
He also reminded religious figures and elites to avoid statements or utterances that could stir unrest in society. According to him, Eid al-Fitr should be observed with devotional worship and clarity of soul and mind. “Observe Eid al-Fitr with devotion, whether celebrating on 20 or 21 March, or even earlier, so as not to get trapped in differences that could fracture unity,” he added.
Haedar is optimistic that the Indonesian nation possesses the maturity to address differences. He also hopes that in the future, the Islamic world can have a single global calendar to minimise differences in determining major religious days. “In the future, Insya Allah, these differences can be minimised if there is openness of heart and mind, based on advanced scientific knowledge,” he said.
At the end of his statement, Haedar emphasised the importance of exemplary conduct from national elites in maintaining unity, peace, and tolerance, while encouraging the progress of the ummah and the nation.
“Set an example for the people that elites can become uswah hasanah in creating unity, peace, tolerance, and progress. We still have various backlogs that require collective hard work from all components of the nation,” he concluded.