For the year 1447 Hijriah, Muhammadiyah—through its Global Unified Hijri Calendar (KHGT)—has determined that 1 Ramadan will fall on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Notably, this decision factually aligns with the Umm al-Qura Calendar used in Saudi Arabia.
A recurring question concerns why Muhammadiyah often refers to distant regions, such as Alaska, when determining the start of a lunar month. Must Muslims in Indonesia really look to the far northern hemisphere to begin fasting?
The answer lies in methodological consistency. Muhammadiyah adheres to the 2016 International Congress for Calendar Unification in Istanbul, which established visibility criteria requiring a minimum lunar altitude of 5 degrees and an elongation of 8 degrees. Mathematically, on the evening of February 17, these strict criteria were first fulfilled in parts of North America, including Alaska.
Muhammadiyah’s Tarjih Perspective
However, if we shift focus to a location emotionally central to Muslims worldwide, the Kaaba in Mecca, the outcome is not significantly different. According to Muhamad Rofiq Muzakkir, Secretary of the Council for Religious Opinion and Reform (Majelis Tarjih dan Tajdid) of Muhammadiyah’s Central Board, fasting in Indonesia will most likely coincide de facto with the start of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia.
The Umm al-Qura calendar has its own distinctive method. Based on its official guidelines, a new lunar month begins if the moon sets after sunset (moonset after sunset principle), without requiring a specific minimum altitude. On the evening of February 17 in Mecca, the moon’s position was already above the horizon (positive altitude). Thus, under the Umm al-Qura criteria, the new month had begun. Consequently, worshippers in the Holy Land will likely perform the first tarawih prayer on the same night as Muhammadiyah members in Indonesia.
It is important to understand that differences in terminology or geographical reference points reflect methodological approaches aimed at ensuring astronomical accuracy. Muhammadiyah mentions “Alaska” not for symbolic or rhetorical reasons, but as a commitment to the global standard adopted at its Tarjih National Conference in Pekajangan.
Ultimately, February 18, 2026 becomes a noteworthy point of convergence. Although based on different criteria, Muhammadiyah and Umm al-Qura arrive at the same conclusion regarding the start of Ramadan 1447 H.
References:
Umm al-Qura Calendar, https://ummalquracalendar.com, accessed February 17, 2026.
Al-Taqwīm al-Sanawī bi-Ḥasabi Taqwīm Umm al-Qurā, https://www.ummulqura.org.sa/yearcalender.aspx?y=1447&l=True accessed February 17, 2026.
