Takbiran Coinciding with Nyepi in Bali: Religious Affairs Ministry Issues Special Guidelines
Indonesia’s Religious Affairs Ministry (Kemenag) has issued guidelines should Hari Raya Nyepi on 19 March 2026 coincide with the evening of Takbiran for Eid al-Fitr 1447 AH. The guidelines were formulated through coordination between the Religious Affairs Ministry, regional government, religious leaders, and community figures in Bali.
Thobib Al Asyhar, Head of the Religious Affairs Ministry’s Public Relations and Communication Bureau, stated that this measure was taken to ensure both religious celebrations, should their timing coincide, can proceed smoothly with tolerance and mutual respect whilst maintaining religious harmony in Bali.
“From the outset, we have coordinated with regional government and religious leaders in Bali. The principle is that if the timing does indeed coincide, both celebrations can be conducted with mutual respect and understanding,” Thobib said in Jakarta on Monday (9 March).
The guidelines for Takbiran in Bali when coinciding with Nyepi are as follows:
First, Muslims are permitted to perform Takbiran at the nearest mosque or prayer hall on foot, without the use of amplifiers, without setting off firecrackers or other loud sounds, and using only adequate lighting, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM Western Indonesia Time.
Second, security and order during Takbiran implementation remains the responsibility of each mosque or prayer hall’s management, whilst coordinating with local security personnel.
Additionally, traditional village leaders, mosque and prayer hall management, traditional security personnel (pecalang), community volunteer units (linmas), and village or sub-district officials are responsible for jointly maintaining security and order during both Nyepi observance and Takbiran activities in their respective areas, coordinating synergistically with security forces.
“This guidance is only for Bali and only if the Takbiran evening coincides with Hari Raya Nyepi. If anyone creates social media content suggesting this guidance applies to all regions, that is incorrect,” he said.
The guidance is outlined in a Joint Statement signed by Ida Pengelingsir Agung Putra Sukahet, Chairman of the Bali Inter-Faith Harmony Forum (FKUB), I Gusti Made Sunartha, Head of the Religious Affairs Ministry’s Regional Office for Bali Province, Irjen Daniel Adityajaya, Police Chief of Bali, Brigjen Ida I Dewa Agung Hadisaputra, Commander of Military Region 163/Wira Satya, and Governor of Bali Wayan Koster.
Similar comments were made by I Nengah Duija, Director General of Hindu Religious Guidance. According to him, this guidance is specific and applies only to Bali Province. Nevertheless, the guidance can also serve as a benchmark for conducting Takbiran in areas with Hindu communities should Eid al-Fitr coincide with Hari Raya Nyepi.
“We hope the public understands this guidance as a form of collective wisdom to maintain harmony and mutual respect between different religious communities,” he explained.
The Religious Affairs Ministry also encouraged all society members to maintain a peaceful atmosphere and avoid being influenced by framing that could undermine religious harmony. Over recent days, social media content has circulated deliberately suggesting that this guidance applies to all regions, when in fact it applies only to Bali.
“We encourage all religious communities not to be easily provoked. Indonesia has a long tradition in nurturing tolerance. Such adjustments demonstrate our maturity in religion and living side by side,” he concluded.