Ministry of Religious Affairs Issues Takbir Guidelines in Bali When Nyepi Coincides
The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) has issued guidelines for Takbir if Nyepi Hari Raya coincides with the night of Takbir for Eid al-Fitr 1447 H on 19 March 2026. The guidelines were formulated through coordination between Kemenag, local governments, religious figures, and Balinese community leaders.
Head of the Public Relations and Public Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Thobib Al Asyhar, said the move aims to ensure that both religious celebrations can proceed concurrently if the times align. He expressed the hope that the two religious celebrations could proceed well, with tolerance, mutual respect, and harmony in Bali’s religious life.
“From the outset we have coordinated with local government and Balinese religious leaders. The principle is that if the timings are the same, both celebrations can be carried out with mutual respect and understanding,” he said in a statement on Sunday (8 March 2026).
Here are the Takbir guidelines in Bali if the night of Takbir coincides with Nyepi:
Muslims are allowed to perform Takbir at mosques or prayer rooms nearby on foot, without loudspeakers, without fireworks or other loud noises, and with adequate lighting, from 18:00 WITA to 21:00 WITA.
Security and order of the Takbir implementation is the responsibility of each mosque or prayer room management, while continuing to coordinate with local security authorities.
The Desa Adat Council, Mosque or Prayer Room committees, Pecalang, Linmas, and Village/Urban authorities are responsible to jointly maintain security and order for Nyepi as well as Takbir activities in their respective areas, in synergistic coordination with security apparatus.
“This guideline is only for Bali and if the Takbir night coincides with Nyepi. If someone creates social media content framing that this guideline is for all regions, that is not true,” he added.
This guideline is contained 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 Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs I Gusti Made Sunartha, the Bali Police Chief Irjen Daniel Adityajaya, the Commander of Kodam 163/Wira Satya Brigadier General Ida I Dewa Agung Hadisaputra, and the Governor of Bali Wayan Koster.
The same sentiment was conveyed by the Director General of Hindu Religious Affairs I Nengah Duija. He said the guideline is specific and only applicable in Bali. Nevertheless, the guideline could also serve as a template for celebrating Takbir in areas with Hindu communities when Eid al-Fitr coincides with Nyepi.
“We hope the public understands this guideline as a form of shared wisdom to maintain harmony and mutual respect among adherents of different religions,” he explained.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs also calls on all people to maintain a peaceful atmosphere and not to be swayed by framing that could fracture harmony. In recent days viral social media content has claimed that the guidelines apply to all regions, whereas in fact they are only for Bali.
“We urge believers not to be easily provoked. Indonesia has a long tradition of preserving tolerance. Such adjustments show our maturity in practising religion and living side by side,” he concluded.
Watch video ‘Kala Ogoh-ogoh Bikin ’Heboh’ di Bundaran HI Jelang Nyepi’: