Muhammadiyah is actively advocating for the implementation of a global hijri calendar. This lunar calendar is based on a simple principle: one day, one date, worldwide. The concept aims to foster unity among Muslims by eliminating the confusion caused by different time and date observances.
However, the realization of the global hijri calendar faces several challenges. Firstly, there is a lack of understanding regarding the concept, significance, and necessity of the calendar. Despite its noble goal of uniting Muslims globally, many still struggle to grasp its underlying principles and the importance of global time and date uniformity.
Another obstacle lies in the strong adherence to the traditional method of rukyat (physical sighting) for determining the start of a new month. The global hijri calendar, like most Islamic calendars, relies on astronomical calculations (hisab) and cannot solely depend on rukyat.
Syamsul Anwar, the Chairman of Muhammadiyah, acknowledges that cultural and behavioral changes take time to be accepted by society. Hence, further efforts are needed to provide a deeper understanding of advantages and practicality of the global hijri calendar. Education and outreach programs on the concept can help overcome this challenge and encourage wider adoption.
Furthermore, many experts, including astronomers, falak (astronomy and calendar experts), and scholars of sharia and fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), still lack a comprehensive understanding of the global Islamic calendar. They often focus on technical aspects, such as the criteria for crescent moon visibility, rather than the broader concept of the calendar.
Some experts even view the global unification of the calendar as impractical. They argue that even unifying national calendars is a challenging task, let alone achieving global consensus. Others express skepticism using analogies, likening the endeavor to “a fool’s errand.”
Despite these challenges, it is important to recognize that change requires time and dedicated effort. Intensive educational programs and constructive dialogue between astronomers, falak experts, and scholars of sharia and fiqh can pave the way for understanding the benefits and necessity of the global hijri calendar.
A Thoughtful Comparison
The article presents a thoughtful comparison between local and global calendar unification. By accepting a local calendar with specific criteria, such as the 4+6 or 4 criteria, local communities can achieve time and date uniformity within their geographic boundaries. However, such calendars lack global applicability and cannot be imposed on other Muslim communities.
On the other hand, adopting a globally-accepted calendar based on criteria like the Turkish Calendar 2016 offers both local and global unification advantages. It fosters local unity within a country like Indonesia by providing a common calendar. Additionally, it opens the door for international collaboration and recognition among Muslim communities worldwide, promoting a shared understanding of timekeeping in a global context.
In conclusion, Muhammadiyah vision for the global hijri calendar presents a significant opportunity to strengthen unity and cooperation among Muslims worldwide. While challenges exist, through education, dialogue, and a commitment to shared values, this vision can be realized, fostering a more cohesive and unified global Muslim community.
Reference:
Anwar, S. (2021, August 18). Materi tentang Kalender Hijriah Global Tunggal dalam Pengajian Tarjih Muhammadiyah (136th ed.).
