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Jakarta Post

Muslims can perform Friday ‘sholat’ during Nyepi

As this year’s Hindu Day of Silence, or Nyepi, falls on March 23, which is a Friday, the day of the week when all Muslim men are obliged to collectively perform Friday prayers (sholat) at the mosque, the Religious Affairs Ministry’s regional office in Bali and religious councils have jointly agreed to allow Muslim men to continue their rituals, albeit with some restrictions

Wasti Atmodjo (The Jakarta Post)
Denpasar
Mon, March 5, 2012

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Muslims can perform Friday ‘sholat’  during Nyepi

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s this year’s Hindu Day of Silence, or Nyepi, falls on March 23, which is a Friday, the day of the week when all Muslim men are obliged to collectively perform Friday prayers (sholat) at the mosque, the Religious Affairs Ministry’s regional office in Bali and religious councils have jointly agreed to allow Muslim men to continue their rituals, albeit with some restrictions.

During Nyepi, a day that marks the first day in the new Saka year, Balinese Hindus observe the catur brata penyepian — the four abstinences, namely amati geni (abstaining from lighting any fire or light); amati karya (abstaining from working); amati lelungaan (abstaining from leaving the respective family compound); and amati lelanguan (abstaining from all forms of entertainment). Only members of the Pecalang (traditional guardsmen) are allowed to be outside to patrol the streets and maintain security.

In recent years, the state’s security officials, including the police, have honored this religious event by standing guard at their respective posts rather than sending patrol cars out on the streets.

The spokesman for the Religious Affairs Ministry’s Bali office, Nyoman Arya, said on Wednesday that while Hindu believers would be expected to perform their Catur Brata Penyepian rituals, those of the Islamic faith would be able to perform their Friday sholat as usual at nearby mosques.

Muslims are expected to reach their respective mosques on foot as no vehicles, even motorbikes or bicycles, are allowed to roam the streets during Nyepi.

Muslims who live far from their mosques will be allowed to perform their collective prayers at the nearest public spaces, such as office buildings, multi-purpose buildings, and banjar (traditional neighborhood organization) halls in their respective neighborhoods.

“Of course, that should be communicated prior to Friday with the respective banjar and neighborhood heads. However, [Muslims] no longer have to ask for a permit as there is already a consensus among all the relevant parties. They simply need to coordinate and inform their local community leaders,” said Arya.

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