TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The eve of Eid al-Fitr in Bali could take place without a loud and lively takbiran tradition, according to Nasaruddin Umar, the Minister of Religious Affairs in Indonesia. This possibility comes as the end of Ramadan is likely to overlap with the Balinese Day of Silence (Nyepi) on March 19.
Nyepi, celebrated by the Hindu majority in Bali, is observed in silence. On the other hand, the Muslim community generally marks the eve of Eid with festivities, chanting praises to God (takbiran) in mosques and on the streets.
“March 19 is Nyepi, and we know there should be absence of noise and no vehicles. But there are people who will have takbiran at night,” Nasaruddin said at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
Since these two holidays may overlap, the government is taking a middle path. “There has been an agreement with the local government and community leaders in Bali that the Takbiran is not in conflict with Nyepi, but while the Day of Silence is observed, the takbiran may not use loud sound system,” Nasaruddin said.
Nasaruddin mentioned that the Takbiran in Bali will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time.
The Indonesian government has yet to decide which day Eid al-Fitr will fall on, as the committee will discuss it on March 19.
The Interfaith Forum of Bali issued a joint call ahead of the observance of Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr, as Eid al-Fitr could fall a day just after the Day of Silence.
The Chair of the Ulema Council of Bali, Mahrusun Hadyono, confirmed the decree. “For Muslims, the essence is that the Takbiran celebration is still allowed with some regulations in place,” he said on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
Among these restrictions are: takbiran is allowed in the nearest mosques from the residents, and pilgrims are only allowed to walk to the mosques—no vehicles.
The Muslim tradition is also asked to run without using loud speakers, fireworks, or other noises, and to use minimal lighting.
Rofiqi Hasan contributed to the writing of this article.
Read: Bali Issues Joint Call as Eid Takbiran and Nyepi Coincide
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