RRI.CO.ID, Denpasar - Thousands of worshippers, both Muslim and non-Muslim, took part in the annual pilgrimage tradition at the Wanasari Muslim Cemetery in Denpasar, Bali, on Saturday, March 21, 2026, marking Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijri, highlighting Bali’s spirit of religious tolerance, as families of diverse faiths came together to honor loved ones.

Head of the Wanasari Maruti 13 Muslim Cemetery, Abdul Hakim, explained that while the burial ground is designated for Muslims, the island’s plural society means relatives of different faiths often join the pilgrimage. “There are no restrictions in this tradition. People of all religions may visit, as long as they dress respectfully,” he said, as quoted by Antara.

Pilgrims typically begin arriving a week before Eid to clean graves and scatter flowers. This year’s schedule was shaped by Nyepi, the Hindu Day of Silence, which fell two days earlier, preventing visits during that period. As a result, both Muslim and Hindu families coordinated their plans to ensure they could participate.

The peak of the tradition occurs on the morning of Eid, after Muslims perform the Eid prayer. Crowds then head to the cemetery to pray for deceased relatives.

Abdul noted that while daily visits usually number around 100–150 people, the figure can rise to 500 on Thursday evenings, March 19, and swell into the thousands during Ramadan and Eid. To accommodate the influx, cemetery management extended visiting hours until 6:00 p.m. and provided facilities such as drinking water.

The atmosphere of tolerance extended beyond the cemetery gates. Local vendors selling flowers included both Muslim and Hindu residents, many of whom have continued the trade for decades.

“Some Hindu families have been selling flowers here for 20 years. Nyepi coinciding with Eid meant they prepared extra stock, which became a blessing for everyone,” Abdul said.

One visitor, Nyoman Menu, shared her family’s experience of maintaining the tradition across generations and faiths. She attended with her children and grandchildren, some of whom practice different religions, to pray for her late husband.

“We do this routinely, not only during Eid or Ramadan. The important thing is to come together, pray, and honor our loved ones,” she said.

The Wanasari pilgrimage reflects Bali’s unique interfaith harmony, where shared traditions transcend religious boundaries and reinforce community bonds during one of the most important celebrations in the Islamic calendar. ***