Global Hijri Calendar: Unifying Muslims Worldwide
YOGYAKARTA — April 21, 2024 —
In Yogyakarta, the push for a unified global Hijri calendar is underway, driven by the desire to unite Muslims worldwide. Discussions at a recent national Halaqah centered on the “when” and “why” of this initiative. Religious scholars and community leaders are seeking to address the complexities of establishing a single, universally accepted calendar for Islamic practices. The goal is to foster greater unity. Authority on the matter, Syamsul Anwar, supports unification.
Global islamic Calendar: A Push for Unity
YOGYAKARTA—Efforts to establish a Single Global Hijri Calendar (KHGT) are gaining momentum, driven by the belief that a unified Islamic calendar can foster greater unity among Muslims worldwide. At a recent National Halaqah in Yogyakarta,Syamsul Anwar,a leading figure in the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership,underscored the critical need for this unified approach.
The Syar’i Foundations
Mr. Anwar articulated the syar’i arguments underpinning the call for calendar unification, emphasizing its potential to synchronize Muslims on a worldwide timeline. These arguments are rooted in key Islamic texts and principles.
- Unity of the People: Drawing from the Qur’an, specifically surah al-Anbiya verse 92, Mr.Anwar highlighted the emphasis on communal unity. The verse states:
Indeed this is your people who are the people.
QS.Al-Anbiya: 92
He posited that a unified time management system, such as a global calendar, could serve as a practical means to realize this unity.
- Universalism of Islamic Teachings: Mr. Anwar also cited surah Saba verse 28, which speaks to the universal nature of Islamic teachings:
And we do not send you (Muhammad) except to be a blessing to the whole world.
QS. Saba: 28
He argued that a global calendar embodies this universalism by providing a system capable of uniting Muslims within an integrated time framework.
- Universal Nature of the Kamariah Calendar: The Kamariah-based hijri calendar, according to Mr. Anwar, inherently possesses a universal quality suitable for regulating both civilian affairs and acts of worship.He referenced Surah Al-Baqarah verse 189:
They ask you about the new moon.Say: Hilal-Hilal are times for humans and pilgrims.
QS. Al-baqarah: 189
This verse underscores the calendar’s role in marking notable times for people, including the Hajj pilgrimage.
Hadith Reinforces the Need for Unification
The importance of a single global calendar is further reinforced by a hadith of the Prophet muhammad:
Fasting is on the day of all you fast,Idulfitri is on the day you have a lawyer,and the Iduladha is on your day.HR. at-Tirmidzi, al-Baihaqi, ad-Daraqutni, dan Abu Dawud
Mr. Anwar explained that the use of plural words in this hadith indicates that the determination of worship dates should be uniform for all Muslims globally.
Practical Implications and the Path forward
mr. Anwar emphasized that calendar unification is essential to ensure that acts of worship, such as fasting on the day of Arafat, can be performed concurrently at the correct time worldwide. The recent halaqah served as a platform to reaffirm Muhammadiyah’s dedication to promoting a single global Hijri calendar, viewing it as a tangible expression of communal unity and the universal principles of Islamic teachings.
