Muhammadiyah Ramadan Fasting Service, February 18, 2026

SENEKO NEWS | JAKARTA — The Muhammadiyah Central Leadership (PP) has officially determined the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan 1447 Hijriah to fall on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. This determination is based on the true crescent sighting method adopted by the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership Council (Majelis Tarjih dan Tajdid).

The official announcement regarding this determination is contained in Decree Number 2/MLM/I.0/E/2025. This true crescent sighting method is an astronomical calculation that accurately combines data on the positions of the sun and moon, allowing the beginning of the Hijri month to be determined long before the crescent moon is visible to the naked eye.

With this scientific approach, Muhammadiyah can determine the beginning of Ramadan, Shawwal, and Dhu al-Hijjah without relying on visual crescent sightings.

This decision differs from the method generally used by the government through the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), which often rely on the rukyatul hilal method, or direct observation of the crescent moon.

The Central Executive Board of Muhammadiyah has used the Single Global Hijri Calendar (KHGT) as the reference in this determination.

KHGT itself is a calendar system developed with specific parameters and principles, aimed at providing certainty regarding the start of the Hijri month through a scientific approach.

Muhammadiyah's determination of the start of Ramadan 1447 AH confirms that, astronomically, the new month has begun on that date.

Muhammadiyah Central Leadership Announcement Number 2/MLM/I.0/E/2025, released on September 22, 2025, clearly states that 1 Ramadan 1447 AH will fall on Wednesday Legi, February 18, 2026.

This determination is the result of a review of global astronomical data and validation of the KHGT parameters. The announcement stated that the ijtimak (conjunction) leading up to Ramadan 1447 AH occurred on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 CE.

However, based on the Global Hijri Calendar criteria, the new month begins at sunset the following day, namely Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

Differences in determining the start of Ramadan between Muhammadiyah, the government, and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) have often been highlighted. Muhammadiyah consistently uses the hisab hakiki wujudul hilal method, which prioritizes astronomical calculations.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) use the rukyatul hilal method, which requires direct observation of the crescent moon at various locations in Indonesia. The results of this rukyatul hilal are then discussed in the isbat (isbat) session to determine whether the new month has begun. (*)