When is Ramadan 2026? Check the Holiday & Joint Leave Schedule

Kapanlagi.com - The holy month that is always awaited by Muslims around the world is getting closer to us. Preparations to welcome Ramadan are starting to be felt, from plans for worship to family gatherings that are always missed every year.

When is fasting in 2026? This question is increasingly being searched as Ramadan 1447 H is expected to arrive in February 2026, but not everyone knows for sure when the fasting will begin. Like in previous years, the Indonesian government will later determine the start of Ramadan through an official isbat session held before the holy month begins.

Nevertheless, various global Islamic calendars and astronomical calculations have provided an estimated early fasting date that can serve as a temporary reference for the public. So, when approximately will Ramadan 2026 start and how is the determination process? Let's take a look at the complete review below, KLovers.

You can also check the latest information about Ramadan prayers at Liputan6.com.

1. Understanding Ramadan Fasting

First Day Fasting 2026/image by AI

Fasting in Islam means refraining from eating, drinking, and everything that nullifies worship from dawn until sunset with the intention for Allah SWT, as explained in the fiqh studies referenced by various official Islamic organizations such as NU Online and Muhammadiyah. In addition to abstaining from hunger and thirst, fasting also serves as a means to purify the heart, train patience, and improve daily behavior so that a Muslim becomes more pious.

Ramadan fasting is not just an annual ritual, but a spiritual practice that teaches empathy towards others, especially to those who are less fortunate. Therefore, Ramadan becomes a moment for comprehensive self-improvement, both spiritually, socially, and morally.

2. Evidence of the Obligation of Fasting in the Qur'an and Hadith

The obligation of Ramadan fasting is emphasized in the Qur'an Surah Al-Baqarah verse 183 which states that fasting is obligatory for the believers in order to attain piety as follows,

“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.”

This verse serves as the main basis that Ramadan fasting is a mandatory worship for every Muslim who meets the requirements.

Furthermore, the Prophet Muhammad SAW also emphasized in authentic hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim that Islam is built upon five pillars, one of which is fasting in the month of Ramadan. This evidence underscores the position of fasting as a pillar of Islam that must be performed by every capable Muslim.

3. Recommended Practices Leading Up to Ramadan

First Day of Fasting 2026/image by AI

As Ramadan approaches, Muslims are encouraged to increase their worship, such as performing sunnah fasts, increasing prayers, and seeking forgiveness to enter the holy month with a clean heart. Many scholars also suggest starting to improve worship habits and re-establishing good relationships with one another.

In addition to spiritual preparation, Muslims are also encouraged to prepare physically to be ready for a full month of fasting. With thorough preparation, Ramadan can be observed with more devotion and enthusiasm.

4. When is Fasting in 2026?

The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag), will determine the start of Ramadan 1447 H through a Sidang Isbat mechanism involving various parties. This meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the H.M. Rasjidi Auditorium, Jakarta.

The session will begin with a presentation of calculation data and will be followed by a report on rukyatul hilal from all over Indonesia, the results of which will serve as the official reference for the government. Based on the Hijri calendar from Kemenag and BRIN's observations, 1 Ramadan 1447 H is expected to fall on Thursday, February 19, 2026, because the crescent moon is still below the horizon on February 17.

5. Initial Ramadan Prediction 2026 According to Muhammadiyah

First Day of Fasting 2026/image by AI

Unlike the government, the Central Leadership of Muhammadiyah has determined the beginning of Ramadan 1447 H earlier using the wujudul hilal true calculation method. This method refers to the Global Unified Hijri Calendar (KHGT), allowing for the determination of the date well in advance.

According to the official announcement, 1 Ramadan 1447 H falls on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, because the conjunction occurs on February 17, 2026. Although the crescent moon is low in Indonesia, the KHGT principle states that the entire world enters Ramadan, so fasting begins on February 18, 2026.

6. Initial Ramadan Estimate 2026 from Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)

Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) has an approach that aligns with the government in determining the beginning of Ramadan, which is using the rukyatul hilal bil fi'li method supported by calculation data. NU will follow the results of the Isbat Meeting organized by the Ministry of Religious Affairs for the official determination.

If the crescent moon is observed according to the imkanur rukyah criteria, then 1 Ramadan will be established the following day; if not, Sha'ban will be completed to 30 days. Calculation predictions indicate that the crescent moon is still below the horizon on February 17, 2026, so the beginning of Ramadan is estimated to be Thursday, February 19, 2026, in line with the government.

7. Eid al-Fitr Holiday Schedule 2026

First Day of Fasting 2026/image by AI

After a full month of fasting, Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Fitr 1447 H, a highly anticipated moment for family reunions. According to the Joint Decree (SKB) of Three Ministers, Eid al-Fitr 1447 H is expected to fall on Saturday, March 21, 2026, and Sunday, March 22, 2026.

The determination of the date for 1 Shawwal 1447 H will follow the official decision of the government of the Republic of Indonesia, so mark the dates well, KLovers. This schedule serves as an important guideline for the community to plan their homecoming and gather with their beloved families.

8. Joint Leave 2026

In addition to the national holiday of Eid al-Fitr, the government has also set the joint leave schedule for the year 2026, including around the Eid moment. This provision is stated in the Joint Decree of Three Ministers Number 933 of 2025, 1 of 2025, and 3 of 2025.

For the period of Eid al-Fitr 1447 H, the joint leave is set on:

• Friday, March 20, 2026
• Monday, March 23, 2026
• Tuesday, March 24, 2026

This series of holidays and joint leave will create a rather long long weekend, you know, KLovers, so you can enjoy gathering with family!

9. Why Does the Date of Ramadan Change Every Year?

First Day of Fasting 2026/image by AI

KLovers may often wonder why the month of Ramadan always moves forward by about 10 to 11 days each year in the Gregorian calendar. This happens because the Hijri calendar has fewer days compared to the Gregorian calendar.

The Hijri calendar consists of 12 months based on the lunar cycle with a total of about 354 or 355 days per year. Meanwhile, the Gregorian calendar uses the solar cycle with a total of about 365 to 366 days.

This difference is what causes the month of Ramadan to continue shifting each year in the Gregorian calendar. As a result, Muslims across generations can experience fasting in various seasons throughout their lives.

This phenomenon also shows the uniqueness of the Islamic calendar system that directly follows the cycles of the universe.

10. FAQ

When does fasting start in 2026? According to Muhammadiyah, fasting in 2026 (1 Ramadan 1447 H) will begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, while the government and NU predict it will start on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

When will the Isbat Meeting be held to determine the start of Ramadan 2026? The Ministry of Religious Affairs is scheduled to hold the Isbat Meeting to determine the start of Ramadan 1447 H on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

When is Eid al-Fitr celebrated in 2026? Eid al-Fitr 1447 H is expected to fall on Saturday, March 21, 2026, and Sunday, March 22, 2026, based on the Joint Ministerial Decree (SKB) of Three Ministers.

Is there a collective leave for Eid al-Fitr 2026? Yes, the government has set collective leave for Eid al-Fitr 1447 H on Friday, March 20, 2026, Monday, March 23, 2026, and Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

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(kpl/mda)