Governor Iqbal Convenes Religious Leaders to Ensure Safe Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr Celebrations
West Nusa Tenggara Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal convened the Regional Coordination Leadership Forum (Forkopimda) and the Inter-Faith Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB) of West Nusa Tenggara. The meeting addressed security measures for the Nyepi holy day and Eid al-Fitr celebrations, which fall in close proximity this year.
The meeting was held in the Sangkareang Conference Room at the West Nusa Tenggara Governor’s Office on Monday, 16 March 2026. All officials were requested to ensure both major celebrations proceed safely and smoothly.
“We have already discussed the security situation during the Eid al-Fitr and Nyepi period. There is overlap between the Eid al-Fitr celebrations and Nyepi celebrations within a close timeframe,” said Iqbal.
Iqbal stated there are no concerns about disruptions to Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr celebrations in West Nusa Tenggara, which will occur within days of each other this weekend. He noted that religious tolerance among different faith communities in the province has been well-established for a long time.
“We know how to show tolerance. Our goal is simply to reach several agreements to ensure both celebrations proceed smoothly,” said Iqbal.
Iqbal highlighted special attention to the ogoh-ogoh parade processions held in preparation for Nyepi. The parade is scheduled for 18 March 2026 and will be centred in Mataram City.
“We hope the two celebrations do not overlap. Therefore, this must be emphasised: the ogoh-ogoh parade must not coincide with Eid al-Fitr,” he said.
According to Iqbal, after the ogoh-ogoh parade on 18 March, the community will then enter Eid al-Fitr celebrations on 19 or 20 March 2026. All Forkopimda elements were requested to cooperate in maintaining security throughout these activities.
“The ogoh-ogoh procession will proceed on 18 March with agreed-upon arrangements regarding how to conduct it. The ogoh-ogoh parade must not continue beyond 6 pm, and should run from exactly 12 noon until the evening call to prayer in order to demonstrate mutual respect,” Iqbal urged.
Iqbal also noted that Nyepi celebrations are not limited to Mataram City. Several other areas in West Nusa Tenggara are also holding similar activities.
“There are planned ogoh-ogoh processions in other areas including Narmada, Lingsar, West Lombok and parts of North Lombok. This requires our attention. However, the security of Hindu and Muslim communities throughout West Nusa Tenggara is our collective concern,” he said.
High Religious Harmony Index
FKUB West Nusa Tenggara Chair TGH Subki Sasaki said the forum would also ensure the security situation remained conducive during both major celebrations.
“Both celebrations are essentially about spiritual purification. When these two communities purify themselves, about 99 per cent of West Nusa Tenggara residents are purified on that day,” said Subki.
Subki also presented data on the Religious Harmony Index in West Nusa Tenggara Province, which reached 73.84, placing it in the high category and approaching very high.
The breakdown included a tolerance index of 87.44 per cent, rated very high; an equality index of 81.19 per cent, rated high; and a solidarity index of 52.88 per cent, which still requires strengthening.
“This data shows that in general, West Nusa Tenggara residents have a very good level of tolerance, although it still needs to be continuously strengthened in the aspect of social solidarity,” he concluded.