MUI Urges Calm as Muharam 1448 Start Date Differs Between Government and NU

A difference in the determination of 1 Muharam 1448 Hijriah has again emerged between the government and the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU). Amid this situation, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has urged the public not to amplify the discrepancy. MUI Secretary General Amirsyah Tambunan stressed that differences in the start of the Hijriah year are normal and should not be exaggerated. “The difference in the start of the new Hijriah year should not be blown out of proportion,” Amirsyah Tambunan said in a written statement on Tuesday. He invited Muslims to view the Islamic New Year as a momentum for hijrah, a change from a less favourable condition to a better one in accordance with Islamic teachings. “For Indonesia, hijrah means renewing mental attitudes and morals, strengthening unity, and upholding justice, so as to create a progressive, just, prosperous, and dignified national civilisation. The main pillar of transformative hijrah includes change. First, hijrah of values, namely shaping the nation’s character,” he stated. He added that the spirit of hijrah exemplified by Prophet Muhammad SAW 14 centuries ago should serve as a reminder for self-improvement. “Second, the spirit of hijrah is a momentum to improve self-integrity, honesty, and to avoid practices of corruption, collusion, and nepotism,” he said. The difference arose after PBNU determined that 1 Muharam 1448 H falls on Wednesday, 17 June 2026. This decision was based on rukyatul hilal results showing the crescent moon was not visible at any monitoring point. The information was conveyed through letter number 146/PB.08/A.II.11.13/13/06/2026 released by the PBNU Falakiyah Institute. The letter stated that the rukyatul hilal was conducted on Monday, 29 Zulhijah 1447 H or 15 June 2026, and no sightings of the hilal were reported. “As a follow-up, the beginning of Muharam 1448 H coincides with Wednesday Kliwon, 17 June 2026 AD (starting Wednesday evening) on the basis of istikmal,” the letter read. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Religious Affairs set 1 Muharam 1448 H on 16 June 2026. Director of Islamic Religious Affairs and Sharia Guidance Arsad Hidayat explained that the decision was based on the MABIMS imkanur rukyat criteria used by several Southeast Asian countries. The criteria require a minimum hilal altitude of 3 degrees and an elongation of at least 6.4 degrees. Calculations for 15 June 2026 showed the hilal altitude ranged from 0.92 degrees in Merauke to 4.02 degrees in Sabang, while the elongation angle was recorded between 5.64 degrees and 6.98 degrees. “With these parameters, most of Indonesia’s territory has met the MABIMS minimum criteria. Therefore, the beginning of Muharam 1448 H falls on Tuesday, 16 June 2026,” Arsad told reporters on Tuesday.