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Indonesia’s Muhammadiyah sets start of Ramadan 1447h on 18 February 2026

Indonesia’s Muhammadiyah organisation has officially declared that the fasting month of Ramadan in 1447 Hijrah will begin on Wednesday, 18 February 2026

Updated 6 months ago · Published on 08 Jan 2026 5:30PM

Indonesia’s Muhammadiyah sets start of Ramadan 1447h on 18 February 2026
The central leadership’s decision is based on its astronomical calculation method, differing from the government’s preliminary estimate - January 8, 2025

THE Central Leadership of Muhammadiyah has officially determined that the beginning of Ramadan 1447 Hijrah will fall on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, based on the hisab hakiki wujudul hilal method adopted by the organisation’s Tarjih and Tajdid Council.

According to a report by KompasTV on Monday, the decision was formalised through Muhammadiyah Central Leadership Notice No. 2/MLM/1.0/E/2025, which was issued in Yogyakarta on 22 September 2025.

The notice stated that astronomical calculations showed the position of the moon had fulfilled the criteria for the existence of the new crescent, allowing the commencement of the fasting month to be fixed on that date.

“Based on the hisab hakiki wujudul hilal calculation, the position of the moon has fulfilled the required criteria, therefore 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijrah is set on Wednesday, 18 February 2026,” the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership said in its statement.

The organisation also announced that Hari Raya Aidilfitri, marking 1 Syawal 1447 Hijrah, will fall on Friday, 20 March 2026.

The determination of these dates is consistent with the principles, conditions and parameters of the Unified Global Hijri Calendar, which was agreed upon during the 32nd National Tarjih Conference held in Pekalongan in 2024.

The notice further explained that the astronomical conjunction preceding Ramadan 1447 Hijrah will occur on Tuesday, 17 February 2026. However, under the criteria of the Global Hijri Calendar, the start of a new lunar month is only recognised after sunset on the following day, thereby fixing 18 February as the first day of Ramadan.

The guidance was issued as an official reference for members of Muhammadiyah and was signed by the organisation’s General Chairman and Secretary.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, through its Aceh Provincial Office, has released the Hijri Calendar for 1447 Hijrah, which estimates that 1 Ramadan will fall on Thursday, 19 February 2026.

However, the date remains provisional, as the Indonesian government will conduct the traditional moon sighting, or rukyah, and convene an isbat meeting at the end of the month of Syaaban to determine the official start of Ramadan. - January 8, 2025

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