MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA — The Muhammadiyah Council for Fatwa and Renewal announced plans to implement a global hijri calendar starting next year
Syamsul Anwar, Chairman of Muhammadiyah, announced the potential shift during a press conference on Wednesday, February 21. He emphasized the organization’s unwavering commitment to unifying the international hijri calendar, a journey that began with an international symposium on “The Effort towards Unifying the Islamic International Calendar” in 2007.
Muhammadiyah isn’t alone in this pursuit. The global Islamic community has long grappled with discrepancies in calendar systems, leading to a 2016 international conference in Turkiye that resulted in a consensus to adopt a single, unified calendar.
But Muhammadiyah’s decision goes beyond international agreement. It’s rooted in internal mandates, with the 47th and 48th Muhammadiyah Congresses (Muktamar Muhammadiyah) highlighting the importance of the global hijri calendar as a symbol of Islamic unity and progress.
However, the path to implementation isn’t without obstacles. Recognizing potential concerns and criticisms, Syamsul Anwar stressed the need for thorough preparation and well-informed answers based on Islamic principles and scientific knowledge.
To ensure a smooth transition, the Muhammadiyah Council has already prepared the global hijri calendar for the next 100 years and will finalize its implementation plan at the upcoming 32nd National Conference from February 23-25 at Universitas Muhammadiyah Pekajangan Pekalongan (UMPP). This gathering will bring together experts, scholars, religious leaders, and intellectuals to discuss and refine the initiative.
Muhammadiyah’s move towards a unified calendar is a significant step towards fostering greater unity and understanding within the Muslim world. It also demonstrates the organization’s commitment to embracing modern solutions while remaining grounded in Islamic values and scholarship. As the national congress unfolds, the eyes of the Islamic community will be watching to see how Muhammadiyah navigates this historic undertaking.
