MUI Bali: Takbiran Continues, but in Silence

In Bali, the takbiran night this year will not arrive with resonance. Muhammadiyah, which has set Eid al-Fitr for 20 March 2026, has asked its members to perform takbir from their homes only.

There will be no torch processions in the streets. There will be no beating of the bedug drums in response to one another. There will be no mosque loudspeaker sounds echoing through the early hours.

Takbir still takes place, but recited softly and limited within mosques, prayer halls, or at home.

For Muslims on the Island of Gods, this is not merely a change in atmosphere. It is a form of adjustment when two major moments meet at the same time: the night of Eid al-Fitr and Nyepi Day.

The General Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Bali, Mahrusun Hadiyono, views this situation as something that has happened before. It is not new, although it still feels special.

“Actually, something like this has happened before. If I recall correctly, it was in 2004. Now in 2026 it is happening again,” he said on Saturday (14 March 2026).

From that experience, various parties came together once again. The Forum for Religious Harmony (FKUB), the Forum for Regional Leadership Coordination (Forkopimda), and the provincial government under the direction of the governor formulated a middle ground.

The result was not a ban, but a restriction.

Takbiran is still permitted, but only within mosques or prayer halls. Without loudspeakers, without firecrackers, without additional sounds. Activities are also limited until 21:00 Wita, before Bali truly enters the silence of Nyepi.

“This is indeed an agreement. Because of that, it is also the formulation that MUI participated in, for MUI there is no problem. We also understand that today is Nyepi day. So we also understand because of such circumstances that takbiran is carried out in limited form. And that is no problem for us. We accept that this is Nyepi day,” he explained.

Inside the mosques, the atmosphere will be different from previous years. Takbiran is estimated to be attended by only 10 to 20 people. Without a microphone, the sound of takbir no longer echoes outward, but instead stops at the walls of the prayer space.

Faintly, softly, almost like a whisper. “Yes, perhaps it will sound faint. That is fine in my view,” he said.

For MUI Bali, this change does not diminish the meaning. Takbir remains an expression of gratitude, even though it is no longer celebrated with great crowds.

Guidance was also provided to people whose homes are far from the mosque. During Nyepi, mobility is indeed limited, so worship need not be forced.

“What if the mosque is far away? Well, there is no need. Perhaps takbiran at home only. So here in Bali we have long respected one another. Religious tolerance here is good,” he explained.

In practice, the rules are not always uniform. Each region has its own adjustments.

In Badung Regency, activities in mosques are not permitted during Nyepi. Meanwhile, in Denpasar City, there is some leeway for takbiran activities until 22:00 Wita.

This difference, according to Hadiyono, is not something to be debated. People are asked to follow the rules in their respective regions.

He also reminded people not to be easily influenced by narratives that could disturb the religious harmony that has long been maintained.

“Here in Bali we have long respected one another. Religious tolerance here is good. Only recently some have been making issues out of all sorts of things,” he said.

Behind all these rules, there is one thing considered most important: communication.

Mosque administrators are asked to coordinate with village heads, security officials, and traditional security forces (pecalang) before carrying out takbiran. Agreements on paper need to be translated into understanding in the field.

“Then first contact the village head or perhaps the police security department or perhaps the traditional village or pecalang and so on. Although the circular has already been issued, it would be better to communicate with one another,” concluded Hadiyono.

The takbiran night in Bali this year may not be heard from far away.

It will not resound, it will not be loud.

But in those small spaces, takbir is still recited. Softly, limited, but still intact as a prayer.