Jakarta – The Indonesian government has officially announced that Ramadan 1447 Hijriah will commence on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The decision follows a Sidang Isbat (determination meeting) led by Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar, held in Jakarta on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, according to a statement from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
This announcement comes as the culmination of a process involving both astronomical calculations (hisab) and visual confirmation of the new moon (rukyat) conducted by the Ministry’s team and various Islamic organizations across Indonesia. The government’s determination differs from that of Muhammadiyah, one of Indonesia’s largest Islamic organizations, which previously announced the start of Ramadan on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
Government’s Rationale for February 19th Start Date
Minister Umar explained that the Sidang Isbat concluded that the crescent moon, marking the beginning of Ramadan, was not visible across all regions of Indonesia on February 17th. The height of the crescent moon ranged between -2° 24’ 43” and -0° 55’ 41”, with an elongation angle between 0° 56’ 23” and 1° 53’ 36”. These measurements fall short of the criteria established by the MABIMS (Menteri Agama Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapura) agreement, which requires a minimum crescent moon height of 3° and an elongation angle of at least 6.4° for visibility. The Ministry of Religious Affairs DKI Jakarta confirmed these findings.
The Minister further stated that reports from 96 observation points throughout Indonesia also confirmed the lack of visual sightings of the new moon. This lack of visual confirmation, combined with the astronomical data, led to the consensus decision to begin Ramadan on February 19th.
Muhammadiyah’s Earlier Date Based on Global Calendar
Muhammadiyah’s decision to begin Ramadan on February 18th is based on its adoption of the Global Unified Hijri Calendar (KHGT). According to Arwin Juli Rakhmadi Butar-Butar, a falak (astronomy) expert with Muhammadiyah, the KHGT requires the fulfillment of specific parameters, including a crescent moon height of at least 5° and an elongation of 8° anywhere on Earth. Muhammadiyah’s official website details this methodology.
These parameters were met in Alaska, United States, with a crescent moon height of 05° 23’ 01” and an elongation of 08° 00’ 06”. The ijtimak (conjunction) – the moment when the moon and sun align – occurred on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 12:01 UTC (19:01 WIB), leading Muhammadiyah to declare the following day as the start of Ramadan. CNN Indonesia reported on Muhammadiyah’s reasoning.
Differing Approaches to Determining the Islamic Calendar
The differing dates highlight the ongoing discussion surrounding the best method for determining the start of the Islamic lunar calendar. The Indonesian government continues to rely on a combination of astronomical calculations and visual sightings, while Muhammadiyah has embraced a more globally-focused, calculation-based approach. This isn’t the first time these organizations have announced different start dates for Ramadan, and it’s a pattern expected to continue as long as the differing methodologies are employed.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has released links for downloading the 2026 Imsakiyah (daily fasting calendar) for all regions of Indonesia. Kompas.com provides a link to access the official calendar.
As the month of Ramadan approaches, communities across Indonesia are preparing for the holy month, with many already observing the first Tarawih prayers according to their respective organizational affiliations. Republika.co.id reported on the first Tarawih prayers held by Muhammadiyah.
The government’s announcement provides clarity for those following the official calendar, while Muhammadiyah’s followers will begin their fasting on February 18th. The coming days will observe further preparations and anticipation as Muslims in Indonesia and around the world prepare to observe Ramadan.
What remains to be seen is whether further dialogue between the government and Islamic organizations like Muhammadiyah will lead to greater alignment in future calendar determinations. The differing dates underscore the complexities of reconciling traditional practices with modern astronomical science and the desire for a unified approach to observing this crucial religious event.
Share your thoughts on this announcement and how you are preparing for Ramadan in the comments below.
