Religious Affairs Minister Addresses Difference in Ramadan Start Dates Between Government and Muhammadiyah
Jakarta, VIVA – The government, through the Ministry of Religious Affairs, has determined that 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijriah falls on Thursday, 19 February 2026, whilst Muhammadiyah had earlier declared that fasting would commence on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
Responding to the discrepancy, Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar urged the public not to allow the difference to become a source of division.
“We all hope that this decision will enable all Muslims across Indonesia to begin their fast together. May this serve as a symbol of Muslim unity in Indonesia, reflecting our solidarity as fellow citizens in welcoming a brighter future,” Nasaruddin said at a press conference following the Isbat Session for 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijriah at Hotel Borobudur, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
He also reminded the public that should certain groups observe worship at a different time, this must be understood as a matter of conviction. “And should there be members of our Muslim community who may do things differently, it is truly in accordance with their respective convictions. We urge the entire public — such differences in the past have not caused us to split or differ in any negative sense,” he said.
“Let us turn these differences into a most beautiful collaboration. Indonesia has long experience of differing yet remaining in a most beautiful unity,” Nasaruddin added.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Hisab Rukyat Team, the position of the crescent moon (hilal) across all regions of Indonesia on 29 Sha’ban 1447 H, or 17 February 2026, did not meet the MABIMS visibility criteria. The standard requires a minimum lunar altitude of 3 degrees and a minimum elongation of 6.4 degrees.
Calculations showed that the lunar altitude across Indonesia ranged from minus 2.41 degrees to minus 0.93 degrees, with elongation between 0.94 degrees and 1.89 degrees. Astronomically, the moon was still below the horizon at sunset, making sighting impossible.
Consequently, the government determined the start of fasting as 19 February 2026 through a combined method of hisab (astronomical calculation) and rukyat (moon sighting), whereby hisab provides the preliminary data and rukyat serves as confirmation.
Muhammadiyah, meanwhile, determined that 1 Ramadan 1447 H falls on 18 February 2026. The organisation explained that its determination was based on a global calculation approach, which has sparked public discussion.
“The determination of the start of Ramadan 1447 H falling on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, has ignited critical discussion within society, particularly regarding the use of the crescent moon’s position over the Alaska region as a reference point,” Muhammadiyah stated.