Will Muhammadiyah and Government Agree on Eid al-Fitr 2026? Here's the Explanation
Eid al-Fitr 2026, or 1 Syawal 1447 Hijriah, is estimated to fall within this week. However, the government has not yet set a definitive date for Eid as it awaits the outcome of the isbat session.
When is Eid 2026 according to the government? Will it align with Muhammadiyah’s date? Here is the explanation.
When is Eid 2026 According to the Government?
The government, through the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag), will determine the beginning of Syawal 1447 H through an isbat session. This session is scheduled to take place on:
Day/Date: Thursday, 19 March 2026
Coinciding with: 29 Ramadan 1447 H
Location: H.M. Rasjidi Auditorium, Kemenag RI, Jakarta
The outcome of this isbat session will serve as the official reference for determining Eid al-Fitr 2026 in Indonesia.
Nevertheless, based on the Joint Ministerial Decree on National Holidays and Joint Leave 2026 and the Indonesian Hijriah Calendar, the government estimates Eid 2026 will fall on:
- Saturday, 21 March 2026
It should be noted that this date remains a prediction and may change according to the results of the hilal observation during the isbat session.
Eid 2026 According to Muhammadiyah
Meanwhile, the Central Leadership of Muhammadiyah has already determined the date of Eid al-Fitr 2026 through an official statement.
Referring to Muhammadiyah Statement No. 2/MLM/1.0/E/2025 and the Single Global Hijriah Calendar (KHGT), Muhammadiyah has determined:
- 1 Syawal 1447 H: Friday, 20 March 2026
This determination uses the hisab method (astronomical calculation), so the date can be determined well in advance.
Will Government and Muhammadiyah Eid Dates Differ in 2026?
The potential difference in Eid dates between the government and Muhammadiyah is an issue that has long existed in the practice of determining the Hijriah calendar in Indonesia.
Arsad Hidayat, Director of Islamic Religious Affairs and Islamic Law Development at Kemenag, explained that the difference arises due to different methodologies used, namely:
Government: rukyat (hilal observation) and hisab
Muhammadiyah: hisab (astronomical calculation)
The government affirmed its continued respect for the methodology used by Islamic community organisations in determining the beginning of the Hijriah month.
Kemenag also urged the public to await the results of the isbat session as the official national reference.
“The government invites the public to await the decision of the isbat session as a common reference in determining the beginning of Syawal,” said Arsad.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining unity should a difference occur.
“If there is a difference, prioritise mutual respect and the preservation of unity.”
Accordingly, certainty about whether Eid 2026 will be uniform or different across Indonesia remains pending the outcome of the government’s isbat session.