Muhammadiyah: Differences in Determining the Start of Ramadan Must Be Approached Wisely
Chairman of the Muhammadiyah Central Executive Board (PP Muhammadiyah) Haedar Nashir has called on Muslims, particularly in Indonesia, to mutually respect differences in determining the start of Ramadan 1447 Hijriah.
He noted that differences in determining the start of Ramadan occur not only in Indonesia but throughout the world. This is a normal occurrence, given that Muslims do not share a single unified calendar.
"PP Muhammadiyah requests that differences in the start date of Ramadan be approached wisely and with tasamuh [tolerance]," said Haedar in a press statement quoted from the official PP Muhammadiyah website on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
Such a wise and tolerant attitude, he said, allows space for ijtihad [independent reasoning] that should not give rise to mutual blame or a sense of being more correct than others.
He reminded the faithful that the purpose of fasting is to increase taqwa [piety], both individually and collectively. Therefore, PP Muhammadiyah urged Muslims to focus on more substantive matters. "Differences must be approached with wisdom and prudence," Haedar said.
According to PP Muhammadiyah Proclamation Number 2/MLM/1.0/E/2025 concerning the Determination of Hisab [astronomical calculation] for Ramadan, Syawal and Dzulhijjah 1447 Hijriah, dated 22 September 2025, the first of Ramadan was set to fall on 18 February 2026.
The determination of 18 February as the start of Ramadan was based on astronomical calculations. For instance, the ijtimak [conjunction] preceding Ramadan 1447 Hijriah was due to occur on 17 February 2026 at 12.01 UTC.
The proclamation explained that at sunset on the day of the conjunction, before 24.00 UTC, no region on earth meets Global Calendar Parameter (PKG) 1.
PKG 1 requires a minimum moon altitude of 5 degrees and a minimum elongation of 8 degrees before 24.00 UTC. However, the application of the Global Hijri Calendar (KHGT) continues with an examination of PKG 2.
The astronomical calculation confirmed that after 24.00 UTC, there was a region on the American continent, specifically at coordinates 56°48'49" North Latitude and 158°51'44" West Longitude.
At these coordinates, conditions were found to meet the requirements of a minimum moon altitude of 5 degrees and elongation of 8 degrees, whilst the conjunction time was recorded as occurring before dawn in New Zealand.
Accordingly, based on the principle of global matlak unity, 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijriah was set to take effect simultaneously across the entire world on 18 February 2026.
He noted that differences in determining the start of Ramadan occur not only in Indonesia but throughout the world. This is a normal occurrence, given that Muslims do not share a single unified calendar.
"PP Muhammadiyah requests that differences in the start date of Ramadan be approached wisely and with tasamuh [tolerance]," said Haedar in a press statement quoted from the official PP Muhammadiyah website on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
Such a wise and tolerant attitude, he said, allows space for ijtihad [independent reasoning] that should not give rise to mutual blame or a sense of being more correct than others.
He reminded the faithful that the purpose of fasting is to increase taqwa [piety], both individually and collectively. Therefore, PP Muhammadiyah urged Muslims to focus on more substantive matters. "Differences must be approached with wisdom and prudence," Haedar said.
According to PP Muhammadiyah Proclamation Number 2/MLM/1.0/E/2025 concerning the Determination of Hisab [astronomical calculation] for Ramadan, Syawal and Dzulhijjah 1447 Hijriah, dated 22 September 2025, the first of Ramadan was set to fall on 18 February 2026.
The determination of 18 February as the start of Ramadan was based on astronomical calculations. For instance, the ijtimak [conjunction] preceding Ramadan 1447 Hijriah was due to occur on 17 February 2026 at 12.01 UTC.
The proclamation explained that at sunset on the day of the conjunction, before 24.00 UTC, no region on earth meets Global Calendar Parameter (PKG) 1.
PKG 1 requires a minimum moon altitude of 5 degrees and a minimum elongation of 8 degrees before 24.00 UTC. However, the application of the Global Hijri Calendar (KHGT) continues with an examination of PKG 2.
The astronomical calculation confirmed that after 24.00 UTC, there was a region on the American continent, specifically at coordinates 56°48'49" North Latitude and 158°51'44" West Longitude.
At these coordinates, conditions were found to meet the requirements of a minimum moon altitude of 5 degrees and elongation of 8 degrees, whilst the conjunction time was recorded as occurring before dawn in New Zealand.
Accordingly, based on the principle of global matlak unity, 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijriah was set to take effect simultaneously across the entire world on 18 February 2026.