Muslims in Bali May Perform Takbir on Nyepi Without Loudspeakers

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued guidelines for Nyepi Day on 19 March 2026 when it coincides with the night of takbir for Eid al-Fitr 1447 AH; one of the points is that Muslims may perform takbir without loudspeakers. The guidelines were formulated based on coordination between the Ministry of Religious Affairs and regional governments, religious leaders, and Bali community figures. “From the outset, we have coordinated with regional governments and religious figures in Bali. The principle is that if the times are simultaneous, both celebrations can still be conducted with mutual respect and understanding,” said Thobib Al Asyhar, Head of the Public Relations and Public Communications Bureau of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, in Jakarta on Sunday. Thobib stated the guidelines are also issued to ensure that both religious celebrations, if the times are simultaneous, can proceed well, with tolerance and mutual respect, and to maintain harmony in Bali’s religious life. The full guidelines are as follows: firstly, Muslims are permitted to perform takbir at the nearest mosque or mushalla on foot, without using loudspeakers, without lighting fireworks or other noises, and with adequate lighting, from 18:00 WITA to 21:00 WITA. Secondly, security and order of the takbir are the responsibility of each mosque or mushalla administrator, while continuing to coordinate with local security authorities. Additionally, the Prajuru Desa Adat, Mosque or Mushalla administrators, Pecalang, Linmas, and Village/Sub-district authorities are responsible to jointly maintain security and order of Nyepi and takbir activities in their areas, coordinating synergistically with security forces. “This guidance is only for Bali and if the takbiran night coincides with Nyepi. If anyone creates social media content framing that this guidance applies to all regions, that is not correct,” he said. The guidelines are set out in a Joint Appeal signed by the Chair of the Bali Forum for Religious Harmony (FKUB) Ida Pengelingsir Agung Putra Sukahet, Head of Bali Province’s Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Dr. I Gusti Made Sunartha, S.Ag., M.M., Bali Regional Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya, S.H. S.I.K., M.Si., Commander of Korem 163/Wira Satya Brigadier General TNI Ida I Dewa Agung Hadisaputra, S.H., and Bali Governor Wayan Koster. Similar remarks were made by Dirjen Bimas Hindu I Nengah Duija. He noted the guidelines are specific and apply only in Bali Province. Nevertheless, the guidelines could also serve as a reference for takbiran in areas that have Hindu communities if Eid al-Fitr coincides with Nyepi. “We hope the public understands these guidelines as a form of shared wisdom to maintain harmony and mutual respect among adherents of different religions,” he said. The Ministry of Religious Affairs also calls on all communities to maintain a peaceful atmosphere and not be swayed by framing that could disrupt interfaith harmony. In recent days, viral social media content has deliberately framed that the guidelines apply to all regions, when in fact they apply only to Bali. “We urge people of faith not to be easily provoked. Indonesia has a long tradition of nurturing tolerance. Such adjustments demonstrate our maturity in practising our religion and living side by side,”