MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – Dr. Mehmet Ekim, an expert at the High Council of The Directorate of Religious Affairs, the Republic of Turkiye, expressed his appreciation for the launch of the Unified Global Hijri Calendar (UGHC) at Universitas ‘Aisyiyah (Unisa) Yogyakarta, on Wednesday, June 25.
Mehmet thanked Muhammadiyah for the UGHC initiative and expected to achieve the unity of Muslims around the world.
According to Mehmet, this launching ceremony is more than a scientific and systematic forum, but it is an effort to unite Muslims.
“The implementation of the UGHC is dealing with more that just technical aspects and astronomy. It has a deep meaning,” said Mehmed in his remark, representing the Presidency of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Turkey.
Mehmet believed that the UGHC could build a collective commitment among Muslims to reinforce Islamic understanding, culture, and history.
Mehmed also highlighted challenges in this era such as division, decision differences, and lack of coordination. In this context, the UGHC which promoted the idea of ‘one calendar, one ummah, one civilization” universally enables religious organizations to complement each other.
“The UGHC implementation has shown procedural efforts to build trust and complement weaknesses of the calendar methods adopted by religious organizations,” said Mehmet.
Furthermore, Mehmet viewed the UGHC as an occasion to strengthen relations among countries and Islamic organizations. It is a transformation effort to have a brighter future that Muslims in the world unite.
Thus, the UGHC launch may create the unity of Muslims around the world.
“May Allah give His blessing for us and for this collective effort. May this initiative be successful to be implemented. May this UGHC unite Muslims. May today bring future goodness and blessing,” wished Mehmet.
