MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, SURAKARTA – Chairperson of Muhammadiyah Syamsul Anwar, as the speaker, highlighted the importance of the Unified Global Hijri Calendar, which has been officially adopted by Muhammadiyah following the decision of the 47th Muhammadiyah Congress (Muktamar) in Makassar.
“Muhammadiyah believes there should be a unified Hijri calendar recognized internationally,” said Syamsul in the Ramadan preaching at the Djazman Al Kindi Auditorium, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), on Wednesday, March 26
Syamsul explained that establishing the unified global Hijri calendar is part of Muhammadiyah global service efforts, as outlined in the Risalah Islam Berkemajuan (A Treatise of Progressive Islam) and reaffirmed in the 2024 National Tarjih Meeting.
Syamsul encouraged Muhammadiyah institutions to integrate the Hijri calendar into their official documents and organizational activities. He emphasized that calendars serve both religious and social purposes, helping people determine significant Islamic dates such as Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha.
“Currently, the social function of calendars is dominated by the Gregorian system. If the unified global Hijri calendar gains wider acceptance, it can also serve a broader social role,” said Syamsul.
He also pointed out that different Islamic calendar systems exist. The widely used Hijri calendar begins from the Prophet Muhammad’s migration to Medina, while another system, used by Muammar Gaddafi, starts from the year of the Prophet’s passing.
“Gaddafi’s calendar marked year one from the Prophet Muhammad’s death,” explained Syamsul.
