TULUNGAGUNG – A calm spiritual atmosphere filled Tulungagung on Tuesday. Muhammadiyah followers began Ramadan with their first tarawih prayers. At the same time, local Chinese-Indonesian communities held Lunar New Year worship rituals.
The Muhammadiyah Ramadan tarawih prayers took place Monday evening at Al Fattah Mosque. The mosque serves as a major worship center for Muhammadiyah members in the town. Hundreds of worshippers arrived soon after the isha prayer. They gathered to mark the start of Ramadan 1447 in the Islamic calendar.
Meanwhile, Confucian believers and ethnic Chinese residents across Tulungagung prayed to welcome Lunar New Year 2557. Both observances unfolded peacefully. As a result, the town displayed strong interfaith harmony.
Abu Syaibah Bustomi, deputy chair of the Muhammadiyah branch in Tulungagung, led the tarawih prayer. He also serves as chief imam at Al Fattah Mosque. He expressed gratitude for reaching another Ramadan.
“Tonight we performed the first tarawih. Tomorrow begins the first day of fasting based on Muhammadiyah’s astronomical calculations,” he said.
Muhammadiyah determines the start of Ramadan using hisab, an astronomical calculation method. The organization has applied this system consistently for decades. Moreover, leaders consider it scientifically grounded and religiously valid.
“If eclipses can be calculated to the second a hundred years ahead, then determining Ramadan can also be calculated,” Bustomi explained.
However, Bustomi stressed that differences in determining the start of fasting remain normal. Various Muslim groups use different methods. Nevertheless, he said, such variation does not affect core beliefs.
“We do not blame one another. These differences are a blessing. The principle is tolerance, mutual respect, and understanding,” he said.
Al Fattah Mosque can hold about 1,300 worshippers across two floors. Around 400 people attended the first tarawih night. Typically, attendance rises during the middle and final weeks of Ramadan.
“Any Muslim may pray here. We do not differentiate. What matters is comfort and devotion in worship,” Bustomi said.