Global Hijri Calendar Sparks Ramadan Date Discussion

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The determination of 1 Ramadan 1447 H, which falls, Wednesday, February 18, 2026, has sparked public discussion in Indonesia. The debate centers on the use of the crescent moon’s position in Alaska as a reference point under the Global Unified Hijri Calendar (KHGT).

Questions have emerged over how Muslims in Indonesia could begin fasting in the morning while the crescent parameters in Alaska would only be fulfilled hours later. Observers note that this concern reflects the tension between a locally based visibility approach and a systemic global calendar framework.

As quoted by the Muhammadiyah website, in Jakarta, Wednesday, 18 February 2026 the KHGT concept distinguishes between “time” as the physical cycle of day and night in each locality and “date” as a global administrative system. In this framework, the daily cycle is viewed as a single unit beginning at the International Date Line and moving westward across the globe, ending again in the Pacific region, including Alaska.

This means that if the crescent visibility parameters are met anywhere on Earth before the global day cycle concludes, the new month is considered valid for all regions within that same global date. Muslims in Indonesia therefore continue to fast from dawn to sunset according to their local time, without contradicting Islamic teachings on the order of night and day.

From a jurisprudential perspective, the approach is based on the principle of Ittihadul Mathali’, or the unity of moonrise horizons on a global scale. Muhammadiyah expands the earlier concept of Wilayatul Hukmi previously applied within national boundaries into Wilayatul Ardh, recognizing the Earth as a single legal territory for determining the start of the lunar month.

In terms of astronomical calculation, the system relies on hisab, which provides definitive and predictive certainty. The assurance that the crescent will meet the required criteria within the same global day is deemed sufficient as a legal basis to begin fasting, without waiting for real-time physical observation in every location.

Still quoted from the Muhammadiyah website, the adoption of KHGT was not an abrupt decision. The idea of unifying the Islamic calendar has been studied since 2007 through international symposiums and internal deliberations, before being officially adopted in 2025 and implemented for Ramadan 1447 H.

Through this system, Muhammadiyah invites Muslims to embrace a broader paradigm—viewing themselves as one global community bound by a unified legal and temporal framework. Amid differing perspectives, Ramadan remains a moment to strengthen unity, mutual respect, and intellectual maturity in responding to evolving interpretations.