Religious Affairs Minister: Bali Allows Takbir Without Loudspeakers During Nyepi

JAKARTA — Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar has confirmed that Bali’s regional government has authorised Muslims on the island to carry out takbiran for Idul Fitri on 19 February next year. The confirmation comes after Nyepi Day, which coincides with the night of takbiran. However, Nyepi Day is usually observed in silence as a form of contemplation. ‘Alhamdulillah we have reported to the President that there is an agreement with the local government, with Balinese community leaders, that takbir does not conflict with Nyepi,’ Nasaruddin said at the Presidential Palace Complex, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (4 March 2026). To ensure takbir and Nyepi celebrations in Bali proceed smoothly, there are a number of conditions for the takbiran in Bali. Takbiran may only take place from 18:00 WITA to 21:00 WIB without using loudspeakers. In this way, Hindu adherents can also perform their worship properly. ‘The condition is that Nyepi proceeds but takbir also proceeds. It simply must not use a sound system and is restricted to from 6pm to 9pm,’ he added. Coordination, Nasaruddin said, has been carried out with the local government and Balinese community leaders to maintain interfaith harmony. Nasaruddin also touched on the possibility of differences in determining Idul Fitri across Indonesia. He stressed that such differences are normal in Indonesia’s religious life and will be determined through the Sidang Isbat. ‘The differences we accept as normal in Indonesia. Later we will see when the Isbat meeting determines exactly when Idul Fitri will come,’ he said.