Banda Aceh, Aceh (ANTARA) - Members of Muhammadiyah, Indonesia’s second-largest Islamic organization, began fasting for Ramadan 1447 Hijri on Wednesday, a day earlier than the government’s official start.
In Aceh province, followers performed their first Tarawih prayers on Tuesday night at four mosques and prayer halls in Banda Aceh, the provincial capital.
“This time, Muhammadiyah is again observing the start of Ramadan differently from other Muslims,” preacher Al Yasa’ Abubakar told worshippers at Taqwa Mosque in Banda Aceh.
Muhammadiyah set 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijri as Wednesday, Feb. 18, under official decrees issued by its central leadership and its Tarjih and Tajdid Council.
The government, following an isbat meeting, declared Ramadan would begin on Thursday, Feb. 19, Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar announced.
Yasa’ said differences over the start date reflected legitimate ijtihad, or independent reasoning, in Islamic jurisprudence.
“Whether tonight or tomorrow night, both are forms of ijtihad, through moon sighting or astronomical calculation,” said the former head of Muhammadiyah in Aceh.
Aceh Muhammadiyah chairman Aslam Nur said Tarawih prayers in Banda Aceh were held at Taqwa Mosque, Muhammadiyah University of Aceh, Punge Blang Cut Orphanage and Aisyiyah Sukaramai prayer hall.
“All Muhammadiyah mosques and prayer halls began Tarawih tonight,” he said.
He added that Indonesians were accustomed to such differences, as both methods relied on strong religious foundations.
Muhammadiyah uses hisab, or astronomical calculations, to determine the lunar month, while others rely on rukyat, or physical moon sighting, completing Shaaban to 30 days if the crescent is not visible.
“In Indonesia, differences over the start of Ramadan or Eid are no longer a major issue,” said Aslam, who is also rector of Muhammadiyah University of Aceh.
In Semarang
In Semarang, Central Java, about 500 worshippers attended the first Tarawih at At-Taqwa Mosque in the Muhammadiyah University of Semarang complex on Tuesday night.
The prayer was led by Imam Muhammad Malikus Sholeh Al Hafidz, with a sermon delivered by Karnadi Hasan, a lecturer at UIN Walisongo Semarang.
Karnadi said Ramadan offers an opportunity to cultivate piety, citing verses 183–185 of Surah Al-Baqarah.
He described fasting as spiritual education fostering awareness, empathy and gratitude, not merely physical restraint.
Tarawih concluded with prayers for stronger faith and humanity, following Muhammadiyah’s decision to start Ramadan on Wednesday, while the government set Thursday, reflecting differing but respected interpretations.
