Reason Muhammadiyah Uses KHGT to Determine 1 Ramadan as February 18

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia – The Muhammadiyah Central Leadership said the use of the Single Global Hijri Calendar (KHGT) in determining the start of 1 Ramadan is an effort to build unity in worship timing for Muslims globally. This was conveyed during a public lecture titled “Ramadan and the Effort to Unite the Ummah: Understanding the Single Global Hijri Calendar” at the Muhammadiyah Da’wah Center Building in Jakarta on Friday evening (13/2). Muhammadiyah has determined that 1 Ramadan 1447 H falls on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. This determination is based on the use of the Single Global Hijri Calendar (KHGT), which has been officially enacted and is in effect within the Muhammadiyah organization. Majelis Tarjih and Tajdid member of the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership, Maesyarah, explained that the decision is part of Muhammadiyah’s commitment to building unity in worship timing for Muslims globally. “The solar calendar is based on the Earth’s revolution around the Sun and has become a global consensus in international dating. Meanwhile, the lunar calendar (Qamariah) is based on the Moon’s revolution around the Earth with a synodic cycle—the lunar phase from one conjunction to the next—which on average lasts approximately 29.5 days,” Maesyarah explained. “That is why in the Hijri calendar, one month lasts either 29 or 30 days,” she added. Meanwhile, the KHGT is a Hijri calendar system that establishes a single day and single date that applies simultaneously worldwide, just like the Gregorian calendar. The only difference lies in time (hour) differences due to time zones in each region. Additionally, she said the implementation of the KHGT has been officially applied within the Muhammadiyah organization since it was inaugurated one year ago. “The foundation of the KHGT is based on the decision of the 40th Congress in Makassar, then the decision of the 48th Congress in Surakarta, thirdly the decision of the Muhammadiyah Tarjih National Conference in Pekajangan, Pekalongan, and fourthly based on the Enactment of the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership’s Decision on the Muhammadiyah reckoning guideline calendar using the Single Global Hijri Calendar,” Maesyarah explained.