PBNU Sets Islamic New Year 1448 H on Wednesday 17 June, Differing from Government

The Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), through its Falakiyah Institute, has officially determined that 1 Muharram 1448 Hijriah, or the Islamic New Year, will fall on Wednesday Kliwon, 17 June 202lag. This determination was made after the results of the hilal (crescent moon) sighting observations in various regions across Indonesia failed to spot the hilal on Monday, 15 June 2026.

This determination differs from the government calendar or the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) of the Republic of Indonesia, which has set 1 Muharram 1448 Hijriah for Tuesday, 16 June 2026.

The PBNU decision is contained in Announcement Number 146/PB.08/A.II.11.13/13/06/2026 regarding the Beginning of the Month of Muharram 1448 H, signed by the Chairman of the PBNU Falakiyah Institute, KH Sirril Wafa, and the Secretary of the LF PBNU, H Asmu’i Mansur.

The announcement stated that the hilal sighting was conducted on Monday Pon, 29 Dzulhijjah 1447 H, coinciding with 15 June 2026. However, all monitoring locations reporting the results of the sighting stated that they were unable to see the hilal. “All locations failed to see the hilal,” the announcement read, as quoted on Tuesday, 16 June 2026.

Because the hilal was not visible, PBNU has completed the age of the month of Dzulhijjah to 30 days. “As a follow-up, the beginning of the month of Muharram 1448 H coincides with Wednesday Kliwon, 17 June 2026 (starting Wednesday night) based on the principle of istikmal,” the LF PBNU announcement stated.

The PBNU Falakiyah Institute also expressed its appreciation to all Nahdliyin involved in the implementation of the hilal sighting. Furthermore, the regional and branch levels of NU (PWNU and PCNU) across Indonesia have been requested to actively disseminate information regarding the determination of the start of Muharram 1448 H to Nahdlatul Ulama members and the wider community.