Di balik penetapan awal Ramadan 1447 H: Bukan sekadar Alaska

The intricate dynamics of determining the start of the Hijri lunar month once again capture our attention as we approach Ramadan 1447 Hijriyah (2026 CE). Muhammadiyah, through its official declaration, has unequivocally established that 1 Ramadan 1447 H will fall on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

This declaration highlights that the initial Global Calendar Parameter – a significant outcome of the 2016 Congress for Unifying the Islamic Calendar in Turkey, requiring a moon altitude of 5 degrees and an elongation of 8 degrees – is met in the distant region of Alaska. This might naturally provoke a common question among the public: “Why should we commence our fast based on a crescent moon sighted so far away, at the edge of the world?”

While this question is entirely valid, its answer extends far beyond the singular position of Alaska. By expanding our global perspective and delving into more detailed astronomical data, we uncover a robust foundation for this determination. It is not merely a matter of global astronomical calculation (hisab global) but is also firmly rooted in the concept of “sharing night” with various cities, including pivotal centers of Islamic civilization.

Secondary Data That Reinforces: From Makkah to Casablanca

It is indeed true that Muhammadiyah’s current basis for determination references the Global Calendar Parameter, which necessitates the moon’s visibility anywhere on Earth – a criterion perfectly fulfilled in the Alaska region.

However, the principle of Wujudul Hilal (the existence of the crescent moon) remains a powerful supporting argument, serving as corroborating evidence that the crescent moon physically exists in the sky, even if it cannot be visually observed in all locations.

From its inception, Muhammadiyah has not mandated the visual sighting of the crescent moon. When viewed through the lens of Wujudul Hilal – a method deeply rooted in tradition – or the criteria of Ummul Qura, the validity of February 18 as the start date becomes even more firmly established.

Astronomical facts conclusively demonstrate that the new moon had indeed ‘existed’ above the horizon at sunset in other strategic regions of the Islamic world. This provides crucial confirmation that the new lunar month has substantially begun, irrespective of whether it reaches a degree of visual visibility or not.

Let us examine the calculation data from Accurate Times (by Mohammad Odeh) for the evening of Tuesday, February 17, 2026:

1. In the Skies of the Ka’bah (Makkah)

Data indicates that in Makkah, the sun set at 18:22 local time, while the moon set at 18:26. This signifies that the crescent moon had already emerged above the horizon with an altitude of +00°:13′:13″.

Though a slender sliver, astronomically, the moon was already above the horizon after sunset. This condition fulfills the criteria for the commencement of a new month within the Ummul Qura calendar system. Significantly, the official Saudi Arabian calendar itself lists 1 Ramadan 1447 H as falling on February 18, 2026.

2. In North Africa (Morocco)

Moving westward, the position of the crescent moon becomes increasingly prominent. In cities like Rabat and Casablanca, Morocco, the moon’s altitude was already quite significant. For instance, in Casablanca, the moon reached an impressive altitude of +02°:07′:00″ at sunset. This position offers compelling support for the Wujudul Hilal principle.

3. In Europe (London)

In London, England, the crescent moon was recorded at an altitude of +00°:50′:57″ at sunset.

These meticulous data points serve as crucial “secondary evidence.” They unequivocally confirm that on the evening of February 17, local time, the crescent moon for 1 Ramadan 1447 H had indeed existed across the western horizon in various parts of the globe, spanning from the Middle East to Africa and into Europe.

The Concept of Sharing Night: One Night, One Beginning

A compelling supplementary argument for Muslims in Indonesia to commence fasting concurrently on February 18, 2026, is the profound concept of “sharing night” or “berbagi malam.”

For proponents of the Global Single Hijri Calendar (KHGT), this argument is not the central tenet. Nevertheless, it proves highly beneficial in addressing a frequently asked question: “Which countries have already experienced the moon’s existence before dawn breaks in Indonesia?” In the lead-up to this year’s Ramadan, this query has indeed been prevalent.

Consider the time synchronization: when the sun sets in Makkah (approximately 18:22 Saudi time), it is already around 22:22 Western Indonesian Time (WIB). By the time the sun dips below the horizon in London or Casablanca, Indonesia has already entered midnight or the early hours of the morning.

The crucial insight here is that when the crescent moon’s existence was astronomically proven in Makkah, London, and Casablanca on the evening of Tuesday, February 17, dawn (subuh) had not yet arrived in Indonesia. This astronomical data is therefore exceptionally vital and directly addresses the concerns of those who, influenced by the Hanafi school of thought, believe that a new day commences at dawn.

We in Indonesia are still enveloped within the same night span as these aforementioned cities. The vital news that the “moon has existed” in the Western Hemisphere reaches us long before the first light of dawn illuminates Indonesia.

Both from an Islamic legal (syar’i) and a logical standpoint, this provides a reinforcing foundation for the idea that a single day (1 Ramadan) can commence simultaneously across the world. There is no need for us to delay by another day simply because the crescent moon might not yet be visually apparent on our local horizon, especially when our fellow Muslims in the “same night” have already established its presence.

Reading the HM Nautical Almanac Office Visibility Map

To further solidify this understanding, let us examine the visibility map meticulously produced by the HM Nautical Almanac Office, a revered astronomical institution in Great Britain.

This map offers a fascinating global visualization:

• The Shaded Zone: This area indicates regions where the moon sets before the sun, signifying that the conjunction has not yet occurred, or the new moon has not yet come into existence.

• The Bright/Unshaded Zone: This area delineates regions where moonset occurs after sunset, confirming the moon’s presence above the horizon.

Upon careful observation, one can clearly see that regions such as Makkah, Europe, and Africa fall squarely within the zone where the moon sets after the sun.

It is important to acknowledge that a significant portion of these regions falls below the Danjon Limit – the physiological threshold for the human eye to perceive the slender crescent moon due to insufficient contrast against the twilight sky. This implies that, through naked-eye visual sighting (rukyat), seeing the hilal might indeed be impossible. However, based on precise astronomical calculation (hisab), the moon is undeniably present.

For Muhammadiyah and the proponents of the Global Single Hijri Calendar (KHGT), the primary benchmark is not the inherent limitation of human vision to capture the moon’s light (visibility), but rather the irrefutable certainty of the celestial body’s position within its orbit.

Recall the fundamental principle of KHGT: one day, one date across the entire world, and the unity of the matlak (horizon/sighting point). This map robustly confirms that, globally, the phase of the new moon has commenced, and the lunar disc was situated above the horizon in numerous centers of world civilization on that specific night.

Conclusion

Thus, the decision to commence fasting for Ramadan 1447 H on February 18, 2026, is far from a hasty judgment or one solely predicated on a single point in Alaska. Instead, it is a deeply considered decision built upon a comprehensive global astronomical awareness.

The undeniable fact that the crescent moon had already come into existence above the sacred skies of the Ka’bah, ascended magnificently over Morocco, and was present in the skies above London – all while we in Indonesia were still experiencing the serenity of night before the pre-dawn meal (sahur) – serves as a profound cosmic signal of the unity of worship times.

This is a magnificent manifestation of the global Muslim unity: fasting together under one celestial command, aligned with a single rotation of our Earth.

We extend our warmest greetings for Ramadan 1447 H. May Allah grant us all health and the steadfast ability to perform our worship to the fullest in this blessed month.