This year, Nyepi Day, the Balinese Day of Silence, notably coincides with the Takbiran eve for Muslims who follow the Muhammadiyah calendar.
This rare alignment occurs because the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership has decreed that Eid al-Fitr, marking 1 Syawal 1447 Hijriyah, will fall on Friday, March 20, 2026. In contrast, the Indonesian government, through Religious Affairs Minister Nasarudin Umar, has designated Eid al-Fitr for Saturday, March 21, 2026.
In light of this unique overlap, Haedar Nashir, the General Chairman of Muhammadiyah, has urged Muslims planning Takbiran celebrations on the evening of March 19, 2026, to demonstrate tolerance and respect towards the Hindu community observing Nyepi Day.
Takbiran Eve in Bali
The Muhammadiyah Regional Leadership of Denpasar City has issued an official notice, strongly advising that Takbiran prayers on Thursday, March 19, be conducted within individual homes and without the use of loudspeakers. Tatang Wisnu Wardhana, Chairman of Muhammadiyah Denpasar City, further clarified, “Firstly, Takbiran should be observed quietly at home without loudspeakers. Secondly, regarding Eid al-Fitr prayers on Friday, March 20, 2026, congregants should proceed to prayer locations after 6:00 AM Central Indonesian Time (WITA) or once the Catur Brata Penyepian — the four self-restraints of Nyepi — have concluded.”
However, Samsul Hadi, a representative of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Bali within the Bali Inter-Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB), offered a more flexible approach. He stated that congregants residing near mosques or musalas (smaller prayer rooms) are permitted to perform Takbiran in these venues between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM WITA. “Takbiran at home is for those far from mosques, while those living close to mosques are allowed, not prohibited, to perform Takbiran from the mosque or musala. This provides a clear solution for all communities in Bali,” Samsul Hadi explained to journalist Christine Nababan of BBC Indonesia.
Bukhari Daud, Head of the Worship Section at Chandra Asri Mosque in Batu Bulan Village, Sukawati District, Gianyar, confirmed that his mosque would not hold any Takbiran activities beyond the usual Maghrib and Isha prayers. He emphasized, “Tolerance is crucial. Takbir night, coinciding with Nyepi, can still be observed in each congregant’s home. After all, Takbiran can still be recited softly to show respect for our friends celebrating Nyepi.”
For many, this unique confluence of celebrations offered a new perspective. Youswana Mozart Arianto, a migrant from Blitar, East Java, who moved to Bali seven months prior, expressed his eagerness to experience Takbiran eve coinciding with Nyepi. He noted that this was a first for him. Youswana recounted that prior to living in Bali, Takbiran eve was synonymous with boisterous parades around villages or mosques, accompanied by loud chants of Takbir. This time, the celebration felt uniquely personal, conducted at home. “Honestly, this is my first experience of Takbiran eve at home because Nyepi is being observed in Bali. It’s a truly exciting moment. While we usually experience euphoria and merriment, this time we can evaluate, reflect, and contemplate on our month-long fasting — whether it has been good or if there’s room for improvement,” he added.
Similarly, Putri Febriana Wulandari, a migrant from South Sumatra, shared her profound impression of celebrating Takbiran eve in Bali during Nyepi. “I’m experiencing a truly unique form of tolerance in Bali,” she remarked. She noted that in previous years, she was accustomed to celebrating Takbiran eve with grand festivities and parades throughout the sub-district. “However, this experience has opened a new perspective for me regarding the distinctiveness of Eid al-Fitr away from my hometown,” she concluded.
Nyepi Day in Lampung
In Lampung, the local Inter-Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB) has called upon non-Hindu residents to keep music and other activities low to ensure the Hindu community can observe their worship in peace. Lampung is renowned for hosting one of the largest Hindu communities outside of Bali, with significant populations found in regions such as South Lampung, Central Lampung, and Way Kanan.
Afif Anshori, Vice Chairman I of the Lampung FKUB, highlighted the distinctive nature of Nyepi observance in Lampung, given its diverse societal fabric. “In some areas, Muslim communities even refrain from broadcasting the adhan (call to prayer) via loudspeakers during Nyepi. This is an extraordinary form of respect,” he stated, adding that such practices of tolerance have been long-standing and deeply ingrained in the local culture.
Meanwhile, the Vice Regent of South Lampung, M. Syaiful Anwar, urged residents planning Takbiran on March 19, 2026, against organizing motorcyle parades. “We appeal for no mobile Takbiran parades using motorcycles. We encourage residents to perform Takbiran in mosques and at home to honor our Hindu brethren who are observing their worship,” he elaborated.
As reported by journalist Robertus Bejo from Balinuraga Traditional Tourist Village, Nyepi Day proceeded calmly. This village, a settlement of Balinese transmigrants in Way Panji District, South Lampung, demonstrates remarkable interfaith coexistence. Despite its Hindu majority, the village encompasses two hamlets predominantly inhabited by Muslims, one of which is named Jatirukun.
Sukardi, the Head of Jatirukun hamlet, affirmed the harmonious co-existence of closely observed religious celebrations. “Alhamdulillah, it has been harmonious so far, with no issues,” Sukardi told Robertus Bejo of BBC News Indonesia on Thursday, March 19. Wayan Rasta, Chairman of the Hindu Youth Association of South Lampung, further praised the exceptional interfaith tolerance in his region. “During every celebration, we help each other. During Eid al-Fitr, we help guard the mosques. During Nyepi, our Muslim friends help maintain order,” he explained on Wednesday, March 18, a day before Nyepi Day.
Journalists Christine Nababan in Bali and Robertus Bejo in Lampung contributed to this article.
Summary
This year, the night of takbiran for