Muhammadiyah Marks 1 Shawwal 1446 H on March 31, 2025: Celebrate on a Monday!

Indonesia’s Muhammadiyah Organization Anticipates Eid al-Fitr 2025, Shifts to Global hijri Calendar

By Archyde News

march 22, 2025

Anticipating Shawwal 1446 H: A Look at Lunar Calculations

one of Indonesia’s largest Islamic organizations, Muhammadiyah, has announced its calculation for the date of Eid al-Fitr in 2025. According to their findings, 1 Shawwal 1446 H will fall on monday, March 31, 2025. This determination relies on a long-standing method known as Wujudul Hilal (the existence of the crescent), which has been a key guideline for the Tarjih Council adn the Tajdid of the Central Muhammadiyah.

For U.S. readers, understanding this process is akin to grasping how different weather models predict the arrival of a major storm. Just as meteorologists use various data points to forecast weather patterns, Islamic scholars use astronomical calculations to predict the visibility of the new moon, which marks the beginning of each month in the Islamic Hijri calendar.

The Wujudul Hilal method hinges on several key criteria. Specifically, the new month begins if:

• The *ijtimak* (conjunction, when the moon is directly between the Earth and the sun) occurs before sunset.
• The moon sets after the sun.
• The highest point of the moon is above the horizon at sunset.

If any of these conditions are not met, the month is extended to 30 days.

The Astronomical Data Behind the Decision

In determining the start of Shawwal 1446 H, which marks eid al-Fitr, astronomical data indicated that the *ijtimak* occurred on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 17:59:51 Western Indonesian Time (WIB). However, critically, at sunset in Yogyakarta (located at 07°48′ South latitude and 110°21′ East longitude), the moon’s altitude was still at -01°59′04″. This negative value indicates that the crescent moon (*hilal*) was below the horizon.

“In all regions of Indonesia, the moon is also still under the horizon, so that it does not meet the criteria for the wisdom of Hilal,” clarifies the Muhammadiyah organization. Consequently, the month of Ramadan 1446 H will be completed to 30 days, pushing Eid al-Fitr to Monday, March 31, 2025.

Shifting to a Single Global Hijri Calendar (KHGT)

Substantially, this calculation marks the end of an era. “This decision was at the same time a marker of the end of the use of the ultimate reckoning of the wujudul hilal in determining the beginning of the month of Hijri by muhammadiyah,” the organization stated. Starting in 1447 H, muhammadiyah will transition to the Single Global Hijri Calendar (KHGT).

This shift toward a unified global calendar is a bold step. Under the KHGT system, “the earth is considered as a global unity so that the whole world will determine the beginning of the month of Hijri on the same day.”

The implications for Muslims in the U.S. are considerable. Currently,different Islamic centers and communities may observe Islamic holidays on different days,based on local moon sightings or adherence to calculations from different regions of the world.A unified global calendar could foster greater unity and coordination within the American Muslim community.

The Rationale Behind the Change

The move to the KHGT reflects a desire to adapt to modern challenges and promote global Muslim unity. Muhammadiyah believes this change will “bring the unity of Muslims in aspects of time and worship, answer the challenges of modernity, and strengthen the integration of the people at the global level.”

One potential counterargument is the deeply rooted tradition of local moon sighting within Islamic jurisprudence. Many Muslims believe that the start of a new month should be determined by actual sightings in their own region, reflecting a localized approach to religious observance. The shift to a global calendar could be seen as diminishing the importance of this tradition.

The Broader Implications and Future outlook

the adoption of a global Hijri calendar by a meaningful organization like Muhammadiyah could have far-reaching consequences. It could serve as a model for other islamic organizations worldwide, potentially leading to greater harmonization of Islamic practices and celebrations.

However, challenges remain. Reaching a consensus on the specific criteria for the global calendar will be crucial.Different approaches to lunar calculations exist, and reaching a unified standard that is accepted by a majority of Muslims globally will require careful negotiation and compromise. Factors like time zone differences and specific methods for calculating lunar visibility need to be taken into account.
The table below highlights the key difference between local moon sighting and global calendar approach.

Approach	Determination Method	Geographical Scope	Potential outcome
Local Moon Sighting	Actual visual sighting of the crescent moon in a specific location.	Limited to the region where the sighting occurs.	Variations in holiday dates across different regions.
Global Calendar	Pre-calculated astronomical data applied uniformly across the globe.	Worldwide application.	Unified holiday dates for all Muslims globally.

Ultimately, the success of the KHGT will depend on its ability to gain widespread acceptance and address the concerns of those who favor traditional moon sighting methods. Whether the change can solve the controversy will depend on further efforts.The transition to a unified global calendar represents a significant step toward greater unity and coordination within the global Muslim community. Only time will tell whether it can achieve harmony.

How will the KHGT address the existing lunar calendar traditions of diverse Muslim communities while promoting global unity?

Interview: Dr. Aisyah Rahman on Muhammadiyah’s Transition to Global Hijri Calendar for Eid al-Fitr 2025

Introduction

Welcome, Dr. Rahman. Thank you for joining us today to discuss Muhammadiyah’s significant shift to a Global Hijri Calendar. As a leading scholar in Islamic Studies, your insights will be invaluable.

Wujudul Hilal and Eid al-Fitr 2025

Archyde News: can you explain,in simpler terms,the Wujudul Hilal method that Muhammadiyah uses,and why it led to Eid al-Fitr being observed on march 31st,2025?

Dr. Rahman: certainly. Wujudul hilal essentially means the “existence of the crescent.” it relies on astronomical calculations. For the new month to start, the *ijtimak* (conjunction) must occur before sunset, the moon must set after the sun, and the moon’s position must be above the horizon at sunset. In this case, while the *ijtimak* happened on March 29th, the moon wasn’t visible, so Ramadan was extended, pushing Eid to March 31st.

The Global Hijri Calendar (KHGT)

Archyde News: Now, let’s talk about the more significant change: the transition to the Single Global Hijri Calendar (KHGT). What is the key rationale driving this shift? What is KHGT?

Dr. Rahman: Well,the KHGT considers the earth as a single global unit. This means the entire world will determine the beginning of the Hijri months on the same day. The goal is to promote global Muslim unity. The organization wants to address modern challenges and strengthen the integration of the people at the global level This will enable the world to use one unified calendar.

Potential Impact and Challenges

Archyde News: This is a major step. What are the potential impacts, especially for Muslims in America? What specific challenges do you see in implementing the KHGT?

Dr.Rahman: In the U.S., people have different opinions and adhere to various practices. A unified calendar could simplify things, leading to more consistent observance across different communities. A challenge lies in addressing the long-standing tradition of local moon sightings. Its a deeply held belief for many,and a global calendar could be perceived as diminishing the importance of that localized approach. Reaching a consensus within the global ummah will not be easy.

The Future of Lunar Calendars

Archyde News: Considering the implications, do you envision other Islamic organizations following Muhammadiyah’s lead? This adoption could bring about broader changes, correct?

dr.Rahman: It’s certainly possible. If the KHGT proves successful and gains wider acceptance, it could serve as a model. the success of the KHGT lies on whether others embrace this method. This in turn may reduce or eliminate controversies about the specific date or specific observations.

Call for Reader Engagement

Archyde News: Thank you, Dr. Rahman, for your insights. It looks like whether this transition is embraced or challenged will depend on multiple factors. What are the specific ways this calendar should evolve for future adoption? What are your opinions about this unified calendar approach? We encourage all readers to share their thoughts in the comments below.