Thursday, 19th February marked the official start of Ramadan in Indonesia. While in other parts of the world the Islamic holy month of fasting started on the 18th, the start of Ramadan on the 19th in Indonesia means that this year, Eid al-Fitr and the Bali Holy Day of Silence, Nyepi, will not fall on the same day as had been anticipated.
The Bali Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs has confirmed that in 2026, Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr will not fall on the same day.
The Head of the Bali Ministry of Religious Affairs, Made Sunartha, has told reporters that this must be seen as a blessing.
Sunartha told the media, “These overlapping holiday celebrations are a gift for us to exercise self-control, respect each other, appreciate each other, and express love for our fellow human beings.”
According to the Indonesian Metrology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, the first sighting of the crescent moon was on the 19th February.
The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs confirms that Ramadan will start on Thursday, after a meeting held in Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon. The Indonesian Minister of Religion, Nasaruddin Umar, told the media, “The results of the Isbat meeting determined that 1 Ramdan 1447 Hijri/2026 AD falls on Thursday.”
This means that Eid al-Fitr will fall on 21st March 2026. We already knew that Nyepi would be observed on the 19th March 2026.
In previous years, Nypei and Eid al-Fitr have fallen on the same day, which in Bali has posed an issue. On Nyepi Day in Bali, everyone on the island, regardless of faith or nationality, is required to honour Balinese customary law, which states that everyone must stay at home, observe silence, refrain from using electricity, and refrain from entertainment.
For Balinese Hindus, Nyepi is the most important day of the year. Local community members stay at home, observe silence, and many engage in a day of deep meditation, reflection, and personal prayer. The silence is observed for a full 24 hours. All movement of people is prohibited, except in an emergency, even if the airport is closed.
With Bali in silence and stillness for 24 hours, if Eid al-Fitr falls on the same day, it can be difficult to coordinate and facilitate the needs of the Muslim community, who would need to come together to break fast and celebrate the end of Ramadan at sunset on the same day.
This year, local communities do not need to coordinate, as Eid al-Fitr will fall a full two days after Nyepi. As ever, there are hopes and a sustained commitment from community members to ensure peace and harmony during this special time of year. Sunartha told reporters, “Even incidents in one place can trigger incidents in other places. If possible, let’s resolve them internally and peacefully. We communicate and coordinate. Let’s build together.”
Bali tourists are not typically affected by Ramadan while traveling in the province; however, tourists visiting other parts of the country will need to factor in that many businesses operate different hours this month. While Bali is a majority Balinese Hindu province, Indonesia is a majority Muslim nation, with Muslims making up more than 80% of the population.
Tourists set to be in Bali on the 18th, 19th, and 20th of March 2026 are in for a real treat. It is one of the most wonderful times of the year to be in Bali. The night before Nyepi, everyone on the island takes to the streets to participate in their local Ogoh Ogoh Parade.
During the ritual, fearsome effigies and statues are paraded through the streets to ward off evil spirits ahead of the day of silence. Tourists who are unsure what provisions will be available to them on Nyepi Day should contact their accommodation provider directly, as each hotel, guesthouse, resort, and villa will offer something different.
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Steve bmi
Monday 23rd of February 2026
Yes last year Muslims just went about their business on nyepi day that was poor form. It's only a day no big deal normally my son is In the banjars ogoh ogoh night before, surely all people can stockup and stay in their accommodations for one day.
Randy
Wednesday 25th of February 2026
@Steve bmi, Why am I not even surprised with that “Karen“ Kiwi woman who caused a rampage On Gili Trawangan
That Kiwi woman who went on a rampage in a prayer room on Gili Trawangan was found to have overstayed her visa in Indonesia. It was discovered after immigration officers and the Criminal Investigation Unit of the North Lombok Police conducted an investigation following the incident on the evening of February 18, 2026.
If she wanted to be bad person then she should have remained under the radar.
Randy
Saturday 21st of February 2026
An example of intolerance has shook the small community in Gili Trawangan during the Ramadan month. This story was aired in Tribun Network…and went viral on social media. A Kiwi White woman on February 19th at 23:30 decided that she had enough of a sermon being aired on the loud speaker at a community mosque (Musholah). It can be regarded as noise pollution to her and some others. However with her uncivilized manner she shouted profanity, assaulted a local and made her way through the Musholah to unplug the speaker. If she thinks she can exercise cancel culture in Indonesia, she is definitely in the wrong country. She can return to New Zealand if she cannot accept living in harmony and accepting tolerance during the month of Ramadan be it Gili Trawangan or in Java for that matter.
In some areas of Indonesia where the majority is Muslim, the locals may observe differently on how they use sermons on loud speakers and time of the day but not usually in the Middle of the night. The calls of the payers have been done accordingly with time and aired on loud speakers in mosques and Musholas around the country.
Bet you that when Nyepi day arrives, all the Millennials escape to the Gili islands from Bali because a 24 hour of silence is posing too much strain on their comfort zone. Intolerance and their Western colonial mindset are what what they have been accustomed to when things are too foreign. Well guess what you can’t have the cake and eat it too. You are in a foreign country, assimilate or the door is wide open to go home during those important holidays for Indonesians be it Hindus, Muslims or Christians. Unity in diversity is an Indonesian belief that is obviously a threat to outsiders.
Randy
Wednesday 25th of February 2026
@Randy, To add further to the drama in Gili Trawangan:
That Kiwi “Karen” woman who went on a rampage in a prayer room on Gili Trawangan was found to have overstayed her visa in Indonesia. It was discovered after immigration officers and the Criminal Investigation Unit of the North Lombok Police conducted an investigation following the incident on the evening of February 18, 2026.
Why am I not even surprised....Deport her back home.