Hindu Council Objects to Takbiran Announcement During Nyepi
The Regional Leadership Council of Prajaniti Hindu Indonesia in Bali Province has submitted a statement of objection regarding a circular from the Inter-Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB) of Bali Province concerning the takbiran evening on Eid al-Fitr, which coincides with Nyepi Day in the Saka Year 1948.
“Although subject to strict conditions as agreed by the FKUB of Bali Province, we are presenting several points that all parties need to consider,” stated the letter, quoted on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.
The objection letter was signed by Wayan Sayoga, Chair of the Prajaniti Hindu Indonesia Regional Leadership Council for Bali Province, and Secretary I Made Dwija Suastana. Several objection points raised include their assessment that the FKUB’s circular regarding the beginning of Eid al-Fitr is premature and represents faulty reasoning.
“This statement represents faulty reasoning because the Indonesian government through the Ministry of Religious Affairs has not yet established the final date for Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijrah,” they wrote. The government through the Ministry is still awaiting the results of the isbat (Islamic court determination) session scheduled for 19 March 2026.
According to the national calendar or circulating Balinese calendar, the red-letter date for the first day of Eid al-Fitr falls on 21 March 2026, not 20 March 2026. “The government has stated that 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijrah, or the beginning of the fasting month, falls on Thursday, 19 February 2026. This decision was established by the Ministry of Religious Affairs through the isbat session, which considered the position of the new moon both astronomically and through direct observation.”
If the government’s version places Eid al-Fitr on Friday, 21 March, then according to the Prajaniti Hindu Indonesia Regional Council, the takbiran evening on 20 March would proceed normally without the restrictions issued by the government.
“We deeply regret that the signatories of this joint appeal are officials representing official state organisations, yet they have acted very rashly in determining the basis for their decision. As representatives of the state and government, they should use the official government position as their benchmark, which indicates that Eid al-Fitr falls on Friday, 21 March 2026,” they wrote.
Based on their objections and assessment of errors, the Prajaniti Hindu Indonesia Regional Council for Bali Province, together with all branch leadership councils across nine regencies and cities in Bali, urgently demands that the competent authorities withdraw the FKUB’s Joint Appeal of Bali Province due to legal defects as it contradicts the Three-Minister Joint Decree (SKB 3).
“The FKUB of Bali Province and all parties who signed this joint appeal should immediately apologise to all Hindu believers and Muslims for the unnecessary turmoil that has occurred,” they stated.
Furthermore, they have also requested that the Chair of FKUB Bali Province step down gracefully, as they are no longer competent in guiding believers of various faiths in Bali. Additionally, they have appealed to believers of all faiths in Bali Province, particularly Hindus and Muslim brothers and sisters, to remain calm, not be provoked, and await direction from the central government.
Previously, FKUB Bali issued a joint appeal ahead of Nyepi Day and Eid al-Fitr celebrations. These two major religious holidays have the potential to occur close together.
In the FKUB circular, it was stated that the security and order of the takbiran ceremony is the responsibility of each mosque or prayer room management and must remain coordinated with local security forces.
Besides regulating takbiran, the FKUB’s appeal, consistent with previous years, directs all land, sea, and air transport service providers not to operate during the Catur Brata Penyepian (Four Days of Silence). This begins on Thursday, 19 March 2026 at 06:00 WITA and continues until Friday, 20 March 2026 at 06:00 WITA.
Additionally, radio and television broadcasting stations are prohibited from transmitting during the observance of Nyepi Holy Day.
Similarly, mobile telecommunications service providers are asked to deactivate mobile data services, and all television service providers are instructed not to distribute broadcasts during the Nyepi observance as per the specified times, whilst maintaining emergency communication services.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued guidance on how to celebrate two major religious holidays from different faiths occurring simultaneously. This guidance was formulated based on coordination between the Ministry of Religious Affairs with regional government, religious leaders, and community leaders in Bali.
Thobib Al Asyhar, Head of the Public Relations and Public Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, stated that this step was taken to ensure both religious celebrations, if they do occur simultaneously, can proceed smoothly, full of tolerance and mutual respect, whilst maintaining harmony in religious life in Bali.
“From the outset, we have coordinated with regional government and religious leaders in Bali. The principle is that if the timing does coincide, both celebrations can be carried out with mutual respect and full understanding,” said Thobib in Jakarta on Sunday, 8 March 2026.
The following is the takbiran guidance in Bali if it coincides with Nyepi Holy Day:
First, Muslims are permitted to perform Takbiran at the nearest mosque or prayer room by walking, without the use of loudspeakers, without setting off firecrackers or other sounds, and using only necessary lighting, from 18:00 WITA to 21:00 WITA. Second, the security and order of the takbiran ceremony remains the responsibility of each mosque or prayer room management, whilst remaining coordinated with local security forces.
Furthermore, village customary leaders, mosque or prayer room management, pecalang (traditional security), linmas (community defence), and village/district officials are responsible for jointly maintaining the security and order of both Nyepi observance and takbiran activities in their respective areas, through coordinated and synergistic cooperation with security forces.