MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – In Indonesia, halalbihalal is a well-known tradition observed after Eid al-Fitr, where people gather with family, friends, or communities to reconnect, forgive, and strengthen relationships.
This Islamic tradition has grown beyond just physical gatherings. In fact, in 1924, Suara Muhammadiyah became one of the first platforms to publish public greetings for halalbihalal, bringing the tradition into the world of modern media.
Ghifari Yuristiadhi, a member of the Muhammadiyah Council for Publication and Information, shared that one of the earliest known instances of halalbihalal greetings appeared in Soeara Moehammadijah No. 5 in 1924.
“Muhammadiyah was actually among the first to do this. This reflects how Muhammadiyah embraced progress and modernity, shown through the rise of Islamic literacy and its expression in Islamic journalism, especially through Suara Muhammadiyah, the country’s oldest Islamic publication,” said Ghfari.
The publication of these greetings in 1924 marked a turning point, as Muslims began using media to send well-wishes, ask for forgiveness, and stay connected—even without meeting in person. At the time, magazines were one of the most advanced forms of mass communication, especially during the colonial era.
“This shows Muhammadiyah’s progressive spirit. Its members were educated and closely connected to books, literacy, and knowledge,” Ghifari added.
According to Ghifari, halalbihalal is a tradition that originated in the Nusantara, especially in Java. So far, he hasn’t found any records of this practice existing outside the region. Still, it has now spread across Indonesia and become part of the wider national culture.
He also noted that in addition to magazine publications, Muhammadiyah branches like those in Kotagede also printed brochures. These brochures became another way to support meaningful connections within the community, showing that written greetings had become a natural extension of the halalbihalal tradition.
Through efforts like these, Muhammadiyah helped shape a modern version of halalbihalal, allowing Muslims to stay connected not just in person, but also through the written word, demonstrating how tradition and innovation can go hand in hand.
