Ministry of Religious Affairs guidance on Takbiran in Bali if Nyepi coincides

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued guidelines on how to celebrate two major religious holidays that occur simultaneously, namely Nyepi Day and the Eid al-Fitr Takbiran, which falls on 19 March 2026. The guidance was formulated based on coordination between the Ministry and regional governments, religious leaders, and Bali community leaders. Thobib Al Asyhar, Head of Public Relations and Public Communications at the Ministry, said the move aims to ensure both religious celebrations, if their timing overlaps, can proceed well, with tolerance and mutual respect, and to maintain harmony among religious communities in Bali.

Since the early stages we have coordinated with regional governments and religious leaders in Bali. The principle is that if the timings coincide, both celebrations can proceed with mutual respect and understanding, Thobib said in Jakarta on Sunday, 8 March 2026.

Here are the Takbiran guidelines in Bali if they coincide with Nyepi:

First, Muslims are allowed to perform Takbiran at nearby mosques or prayer houses on foot, without loudspeakers, without setting off firecrackers or other loud noises, and with adequate lighting, from 18:00 WITA to 21:00 WITA.

Second, security and order of Takbiran is the responsibility of each mosque or musalla management, while continuing to coordinate with local security authorities.

Additionally, the customary village chiefs (pra juru desa adat), mosque or musalla management,pecalang, linmas, and Desa/Kelurahan apparatus are responsible for jointly maintaining the safety and order of Nyepi and Takbiran activities in their areas, coordinating synergistically with security officers.

“This guide is only for Bali and if the night of Takbiran coincides with Hari Raya Nyepi. If anyone creates social media content framing that this guide applies to all regions, that is not true,” Thobib said.

The guide is set out in a Joint Appeal signed by the Chair of the Bali Forum for Religious Harmony (FKUB) Ida Pengelingsir Agung Putra Sukahet, the Head of the Bali Provincial Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs I Gusti Made Sunartha, the Bali Regional Police Chief Inspector General of Police Daniel Adityajaya, the Commander of the 163/Wira Satya Military Regional Command Brigadier General Ida I Dewa Agung Hadisaputra, and Bali Governor Wayan Koster.

Dirjen Bimas Hindu I Nengah Duija noted that the guidance is specific and only applies to Bali Province. Nevertheless, he added, the guidance could also serve as a template for takbiran in areas with Hindu communities if Eid coincides with Nyepi. “We hope the public understands this guidance as a form of shared wisdom to maintain harmony and mutual respect among religious communities,” he said.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs also invites all communities to maintain a peaceful atmosphere and not be swayed by framing that could fracture harmony. In recent days a viral social media content claimed that this guidance applies to all regions, although it is solely for Bali.

“We urge people of faith not to be easily provoked. Indonesia has a long tradition of nurturing tolerance. This adjustment demonstrates our maturity in religion and coexistence,” said Nengah.

Editor’s Note: Eid night without a circulating Takbir