Nyepi Day (Day of Silence) falls on Wednesday this year, coinciding with the start of Ramadan for Muslims. While peace and quiet are mandated throughout the island during Nyepi, officials say there is room for Muslims to carry out their religious duties at the start of the holy month, particularly pertaining to the tarawih prayer.
Tarawih is a non-obligatory evening prayer carried out throughout Ramadan, during which Muslims flock to nearby mosques to observe the communal prayer. The first tarawih prayer is set to take place on Wednesday evening, and questions were raised as to whether or not it would clash with Nyepi, which requires a whole-island shutdown to mark the Hindu new year.
According to the Bali Gubernatorial Regulations on Nyepi Day this year, Muslims on the Island of Gods are encouraged to perform tarawih at home or at nearby mosques as long as they walk to the house of worship (so no motorbikes or cars), avoid the use of loudspeakers, and use minimal lighting.
“We encourage them to observe the prayers at home, unless the mosque is close to their houses then it is okay,” said Bali Police spokesman Stefanus Satake Bayu Setianto to Coconuts Bali in a text message sent today.
Separately, Gianyar Police Operations Chief I Gede Sudyatmaja added that tadarus (Quran recitals) are not allowed at mosques during Nyepi.
“As for the tadarus, it can be performed in their own homes,” he said.
Indonesia is a Muslim-majority country, but Balinese Hindus represent the majority in Bali.
The Bali chapter of Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI), on the other hand, has encouraged Muslims on the island to perform tarawih at home in order to maintain the island’s interreligious harmony.
“It is only one night, we can observe tarawih at homes,” said Samsul Arifin, the head of sermons for MUI Bali, as quoted by RRI.
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