In Bali, the takbiran night this year will not arrive with resonance.\nMuhammadiyah, which has set Eid al-Fitr for 20 March 2026, has asked its\nmembers to perform takbir from their homes only.<\/p>\n
There will be no torch processions in the streets. There will be no\nbeating of the bedug drums in response to one another. There will be no\nmosque loudspeaker sounds echoing through the early hours.<\/p>\n
Takbir still takes place, but recited softly and limited within\nmosques, prayer halls, or at home.<\/p>\n
For Muslims on the Island of Gods, this is not merely a change in\natmosphere. It is a form of adjustment when two major moments meet at\nthe same time: the night of Eid al-Fitr and Nyepi Day.<\/p>\n
The General Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Bali,\nMahrusun Hadiyono, views this situation as something that has happened\nbefore. It is not new, although it still feels special.<\/p>\n
\u201cActually, something like this has happened before. If I recall\ncorrectly, it was in 2004. Now in 2026 it is happening again,\u201d he said\non Saturday (14 March 2026).<\/p>\n
From that experience, various parties came together once again. The\nForum for Religious Harmony (FKUB), the Forum for Regional Leadership\nCoordination (Forkopimda), and the provincial government under the\ndirection of the governor formulated a middle ground.<\/p>\n
The result was not a ban, but a restriction.<\/p>\n
Takbiran is still permitted, but only within mosques or prayer halls.\nWithout loudspeakers, without firecrackers, without additional sounds.\nActivities are also limited until 21:00 Wita, before Bali truly enters\nthe silence of Nyepi.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is indeed an agreement. Because of that, it is also the\nformulation that MUI participated in, for MUI there is no problem. We\nalso understand that today is Nyepi day. So we also understand because\nof such circumstances that takbiran is carried out in limited form. And\nthat is no problem for us. We accept that this is Nyepi day,\u201d he\nexplained.<\/p>\n
Inside the mosques, the atmosphere will be different from previous\nyears. Takbiran is estimated to be attended by only 10 to 20 people.\nWithout a microphone, the sound of takbir no longer echoes outward, but\ninstead stops at the walls of the prayer space.<\/p>\n
Faintly, softly, almost like a whisper. \u201cYes, perhaps it will sound\nfaint. That is fine in my view,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
For MUI Bali, this change does not diminish the meaning. Takbir\nremains an expression of gratitude, even though it is no longer\ncelebrated with great crowds.<\/p>\n
Guidance was also provided to people whose homes are far from the\nmosque. During Nyepi, mobility is indeed limited, so worship need not be\nforced.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat if the mosque is far away? Well, there is no need. Perhaps\ntakbiran at home only. So here in Bali we have long respected one\nanother. Religious tolerance here is good,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
In practice, the rules are not always uniform. Each region has its\nown adjustments.<\/p>\n
In Badung Regency, activities in mosques are not permitted during\nNyepi. Meanwhile, in Denpasar City, there is some leeway for takbiran\nactivities until 22:00 Wita.<\/p>\n
This difference, according to Hadiyono, is not something to be\ndebated. People are asked to follow the rules in their respective\nregions.<\/p>\n
He also reminded people not to be easily influenced by narratives\nthat could disturb the religious harmony that has long been\nmaintained.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere in Bali we have long respected one another. Religious tolerance\nhere is good. Only recently some have been making issues out of all\nsorts of things,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Behind all these rules, there is one thing considered most important:\ncommunication.<\/p>\n
Mosque administrators are asked to coordinate with village heads,\nsecurity officials, and traditional security forces (pecalang) before\ncarrying out takbiran. Agreements on paper need to be translated into\nunderstanding in the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen first contact the village head or perhaps the police security\ndepartment or perhaps the traditional village or pecalang and so on.\nAlthough the circular has already been issued, it would be better to\ncommunicate with one another,\u201d concluded Hadiyono.<\/p>\n
The takbiran night in Bali this year may not be heard from far\naway.<\/p>\n
It will not resound, it will not be loud.<\/p>\n
But in those small spaces, takbir is still recited. Softly, limited,\nbut still intact as a prayer.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mui-bali-takbiran-continues-but-in-silence-1773755544", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }