When Mosques Call on the Faithful to Respect Nyepi

The takbiran night in Bali this year will definitely be different. Not because it is forbidden, but because it has been chosen to be simplified.

Amidst the convergence of two significant moments—Eid al-Fitr and Nyepi Day—the Muslim community on the Island of the Gods has taken one stance: to maintain the sanctity of their observance by showing mutual respect.

There will be no village processions. There will be no call to prayer drums echoing back and forth. The miniature mosques that usually enliven the streets are absent.

Takbir will still be proclaimed, but from within the mosque, without loudspeakers.

The change occurs because takbiran is expected to coincide with Nyepi on 19 March 2026, the day when all activity in Bali comes to a complete stop, replaced by silence.

There, two major interests meet.

On one hand, takbiran is a proclamation and expression of victory. On the other, Nyepi is contemplation in silence.

For mosque administrators, the choice taken is not about which takes precedence, but how both can proceed without interfering with one another.

Abdul Ghani, head of Al-Muhajirin Mosque’s management committee, described the decision to limit takbiran as a form of mutual understanding.

“Yes, it is actually a middle path, isn’t it? A middle path between religions agreeing to this. There was a decision from the FKUB. It is a middle path,” Ghani told detikBali on Saturday (14 March 2026).

He emphasised that practising worship cannot be separated from the social context surrounding it.

“Because there are two equally important moments there. One for Nyepi, one for proclamation. That truly needs to be understood. We carry out an act of worship, but hurting others is also not permissible,” he added.

At Al-Muhajirin Mosque, takbiran this year will likely only be conducted in limited fashion. Without loudspeakers, without processions, without crowds.

“Because there is also guidance from the government. Guidance from the government and FKUB. At most, we will simply do it at the mosque without loudspeakers,” he explained.

A similar situation has occurred at several other mosques in Denpasar.

Baitul Makmur Mosque in the Monang-Maning area, for example, has chosen to limit takbiran only after Maghrib prayer for a short period, then continue simply at subsequent prayer times.

The preparations that are usually festive are barely visible.

“Indeed, this year our activities are very minimal,” said Ghani.

“We have certainly ensured there is no loud takbiran. If it were held on the 21st, we would have takbiran but only at the mosque. No processions. Because this is difficult, there are no preparations,” he added.

To date, mosque administrators are still awaiting official government decision regarding the determination of Eid al-Fitr.

“We are waiting for the government’s decision, when is this? We don’t know yet, we cannot yet say. We are only announcing that we are still waiting for the government’s decision,” he explained.

Despite this, the stance to respect Nyepi has already been agreed upon beforehand.

Ghani mentioned that similar calls have come from various parties, ranging from local government, FKUB, to religious organisations.

“And indeed we greatly respect yesterday’s decision from the governor, from FKUB, from the Ministry of Religion, and from PHDI as well, the Indonesian Mosque Council,” he said.

In fact, according to him, Muhammadiyah has also stated that it will not hold takbiran this year.

“Muhammadiyah stated there will be no takbiran. None,” he said.

With Nyepi running from 19 March at 06:00 Wita to 20 March at 06:00 Wita, activities that create commotion are indeed not possible to conduct.

However, for residents, the restriction is not regarded as a loss.

On the contrary, this has become a way to maintain the harmony that has long existed in Bali.

“Takbiran is only done simply at each person’s home,” explained Ghani.

Amid the busy dynamics on social media, conditions on the ground are actually quite calm.

“Only on social media. There is hardly any debate here,” he said.

Outreach has been conducted through various means, from Friday sermons to conversations in residential neighbourhoods. The message is simple: celebrate without disrupting.

“We invite everyone to respect Nyepi. Although we celebrate Eid al-Fitr, we continue to maintain tolerance,” he said.

In Bali, this year’s takbiran night may not be heard far away. There will be no echoes, no crowds.

Yet it is precisely there that the meaning shifts, from mere celebration, to an attitude of mutual care.