DENPASAR: Ramadan this year had been welcomed by the Chinese New Year and is seen off by Nyepi, (Day of Silence), which marks the New Year in the Balinese Hindu calendar.
Thousands of members of Indonesia’s second-largest Islamic organisation Muhammadiyah, held mass prayers across Bali after declaring that Idul Fitri fell on Friday (March 20), while the government announced that the end of Ramadan fell on Saturday.
Husnul Fahmi, Muhammadiyah Bali provincial branch (PWM Bali), has called on members to uphold tolerance toward Balinese Hindus, who had just celebrated Nyepi, which was observed with 24 hours of silence on Thursday.
The Eid prayers began on Friday morning at several locations in Bali, including the Niti Mandala Renon Park in Denpasar, as well as in Buleleng, Jembrana, Tabanan, and Klungkung.
“Although it started with a light drizzle, the Eid prayer went smoothly, safely and orderly with the support of the local administration and pecalang [traditional Balinese security guards],” Husnul said on Friday, as quoted by Antara.
“In line with instructions from the central [government], we performed takbiran [eve of Idul Fitri celebrations] at home last night, even though we were permitted to go to the nearest mosque. This is the result of the collaboration and harmony we have fostered that should be maintained among fellow Muslims,” he added.
The government previously has made assurances that takbiran, which is often marked by chants of takbir (praise to God), could take place in Bali on the evening of Nyepi, with several adjustments, namely avoiding the use of loudspeakers and bright lighting.
For others, Eid prayers began on Saturday morning, with thousands of Muslims holding their prayers at the Lumintang Field in Denpasar.
Masrur, who led the Eid prayer at the Lumintang Field, said that the number of worshipers continued to increase each year, with roughly 5,000 Muslims joining the mass prayer at the field this year.
“All the organising committee members have coordinated well, and Alhamdulillah [thank God], turns out Idul Fitri is today [Saturday], so it’s not too close to Nyepi. Everything has been carried out optimally, and we were also assisted by pecalang,” he said on Saturday, as reported by Antara. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
