It is a time of great celebration in Bali and Indonesia nationally. The country is observing the Lebaran Eid al-Fitr holiday season, and as hundreds of thousands of people move all over the country to enjoy vacations and time with family, cultural respect between faiths and tourists from across the country and around the world is paramount.
Eid al-Fitr has been celebrated across the world on the 30th and 31st of March, and as Indonesia embarks on its national holiday of Lebaran Eid al-Fitr until the 4th of April, the country is on the move.
Similarly, thousands of Muslims who live and work in Bali have been traveling to their familial homes around the country to celebrate the most important festival of the Islamic calendar with their loved ones.
This weekend, Bali also celebrated Nyepi Day, the holy day of silence. While for the most part, the day of silence was observed without a problem, local village security officers did have to round up a few foreign tourists who flouted the rules.
During Nyepi Day, it is mandatory for all people in Bali, regardless of their faith or nationality, to stay at home or in their accommodation. As the religious holiday period continues, tourists in Bali are being reminded to practice cultural respect for all. Though Bali is a majority Balinese Hindu province, Indonesia is a majority Muslim nation.
On Nypei Day, a group of foreign tourists was caught trying to go snorkeling off Bununtan Beach near Amed in East Bali. The Head of Bununtan Village, Wayan Dayuh Suyasa told reporters that the tourists initially ignored and defied the instructions of the local security officers, known as pecalaang, who explained to them that they must return to their accommodation immediately.
Suyasa shared “Pecalang then took the initiative to record their activities with their cellphones, after that the tourists stopped snorkeling and were willing to return to the hotel where they were staying.”
He added “The pecalang had no other intention until he recorded the tourist. I just want the implementation of Nyepi to run well and smoothly.” Suyasa shared that he suspected that the tourists had not received a sufficient explanation from their accommodation providers regarding the rules of Nyepi Day.
One of the most powerful images to come from Bali on Monday 31st March was of the local Balinese Hindu pecalang security teams guarding the Eid al-Fitr 1446 Hijriah Prayer at Lumintang Field, in Denpasar. The field, which can accommodate 10,000 worshippers, was filled and the community prayer was observed without a problem. Local pecalang security teams were supported by local police and army officers.
As one journalist from NusaBali explained, “More than just a security task, the role of pecalang in the Eid prayer is a symbol of tolerance that continues to be maintained by [the local banjar] It is hoped that the values of brotherhood and kinship in Bali will continue to be maintained amidst the diversity that exists.”
The national Lebaran holiday will be observed in Bali until 4th April 2025. Over the coming days, more domestic tourists are expected to arrive in Bali, and top cultural attractions such as Tanah Lot Temple, Uluwatu Temple, the Jatiluwih and Tegalalang Rice Terrace as well as the island’s most popular beaches are expected to feel busier than usual.
All tourists should be prepared for traffic congestion, traffic diversions, and temporary road closures as authorities put temporary traffic management systems in place to help keep everyone moving safely and efficiently across the island.
Tourists in Bali will also see more security teams out on patrol across the island until the 11th of April 2025, which is when the holiday period officially comes to a close. The security operation is called Operation Ketupat Agung 2025 and involves officers from the police, the army, local security teams, search and rescue teams, and more.
The Police Homecoming Hotline service has been set up and can be contacted at “110.” The service can assist travelers who need support. The Police slogan for the operation is “Safe Homecoming, Comfortable Family.”
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