FKUB Allows Takbir in Mosques Without Noise During Nyepi

Denpasar, Bali — The Bali Forum for Religious Harmony (FKUB) has allowed the Takbir night to be conducted inside mosques without noise if 1 Shawwal is determined to fall on 20 March 2026, or the day after Nyepi. ‘In principle, takbir is allowed but with strict conditions that do not diminish the meaning of takbir itself, namely walking to the nearest mosque without loudspeakers, without noise,’ said FKUB Bali Chairman Ida Penglingsir Agung Putra Sukahet. Penglingsir Agung in Denpasar, on Saturday, said that the policy is a joint decision with Bali religious leaders who also agreed with the Governor of Bali, the Commander of IX/Udayana Military Regional Command, and the Bali Police Chief. A circular in the form of a joint appeal has been circulated, requesting that during Nyepi the tranquillity of Bali Island be maintained. When Takbir takes place in the mosque, lighting should be minimal and directed inward rather than outward. ‘After it ends, go straight back home; do not go out again so as to serve as a barometer of Bali’s tolerance and harmony for Indonesia,’ he said. The FKUB Bali Chairman, who is also the Chairman of the Bali Majelis Desa Adat (MDA), wants Nyepi Saka 1948 to proceed without blemish, just as Takbir can be observed by Muslims. He added that if these two major religious days can proceed smoothly, that is how true coexistence looks. Indonesia upholds Bhinneka Tunggal Ika and the 1945 Constitution, where the two foundations have equal value with religious teachings. ‘Mutual filling and tolerance are taught by all faiths; in Bali we realise Nyepi alongside Idul Fitri, and Nyepi has even been observed together with Idul Fitri, with Jumaat, or even on Sundays when Christians pray, so we can move forward and Nyepi remains unsullied,’ said the Penglingsir Agung. The Bali MDA Chairman noted that every year social media records violations during Nyepi, from Indonesians breaching pecalang guards to misbehaving foreign nationals. There is, however, no perfection; Bali has more than 4 million residents and potential incidents can occur anywhere. It is possible that individuals who disrupt Nyepi do so because they are unaware of the holy day. To support Nyepi’s smooth running and to ensure other religious observances are accommodated, the Penglingsi Agung mobilised thousands of pecalang across Bali to safeguard adat village areas. If any individuals are found violating Nyepi rituals, pecalang are instructed to take humane and persuasive steps to avoid missteps and not to desecrate Nyepi’s sanctity. ‘So some pecalang will descend later with religious leaders at the local site, whether Islam or others; this is a guard for everyone, and we hope for safety and peace; let us maintain this as a life of coexistence,’ he concluded.