Adit on Nyepi '08

If you don't mind looking at a calendar, you'll find that the 7th of May is a holiday. Our Hindu friends will be celebrating their New Year, famously known as Hari Raya Nyepi. The Island of Gods (and also tourists) will stop its pace for a day to reflect on itself.

The ritual of Nyepi is adapted by the whole island. So during that day, everything will close down. This is due to the conditions of Nyepi: Amati Geni (no fire/light), Amati Karya (no working), Amati Lelunganan (no traveling), and Amati Lelanguan (fasting). Just like previous years, even the airport will not operate during Nyepi.

Look at the calendar again, you'll notice that it falls on a Friday, the day when Muslims go to the mosque for Friday prayer. Well, this is a test whether Indonesia's religious tolerance is based on mutual understanding or simply on ignorance. Muslims living in Bali must respect Nyepi by trying to minimize violations of the Nyepi ritual. They should do the Friday prayer in the nearest mosque, so they can go there on foot rather than car or motorbike. The khatib should also try to lower the volume of the khutbah so that it won't bother their Hindu friends.

The people observing Nyepi should also respect the rights of other religion during Nyepi too. Consequently, they must allow Muslims to go to the mosque that day. It would be very shameful if Muslims aren't allowed to do so while Hindus are allowed the whole island for Nyepi.

Last but not least, the principles of Nyepi itself is quite enlightening. Maybe every other religion can take part in the Nyepi by their own way. Every religion wants its devotees to be close to God, and Nyepi is a good opportunity to do so. It is a time for introspection and prayer, which all religion ask for, not war or disrespect.