The island of Bali is one of the largest melting pots in Indonesia.
Many residents from different parts of the archipelago with different cultural and religious backgrounds who come on vacation or decide to emigrate face the fate of Bali.
Most of those who come on vacation or even move to Bali are adherents of the Islamic religion.
Bali's reputation for its highly concentrated Hindu culture, customs, and religious practices did not stop their intention to conquer this Island of Gods.
This is because the indigenous people of Bali are known to have a very high religious tolerance and sociability. So that anyone will feel comfortable living next door and making a living here.
Rahmawati, 47, is from Malang, East Java and has been living in Bali since 2005. As a Muslim, Denpasar residents feel comfortable practicing worship despite living in the middle of Bali's Hindu-majority community.
Menyambut Ramadan 2025 - Muslimat NU Denpasar Selatan Credit: Rahmawati - Denpasar
Finding halal food is easy, says the mother of three.
“So there is no problem at all,” he said.
Born and raised in Lamongan, East Java, Faruq Zulianto migrated to Bali in 2012 and opened a meatball and chicken noodle stall business in Kedonangan, Kuta.
The stall is never deserted by visitors, both native Balinese and immigrants. Within a day, he claimed to be able to rake in a net profit of up to one million rupiah.
“The meatballs we serve are kosher. Even in the milling process, it is exclusively kosher guaranteed, not mixed with pork,” said the father of three children. “Even Balinese people don't like pork.”
In Ramadan, despite a decrease in the number of shoppers, his meatballs and chicken noodles remain sought after by customers, he said.
Faruq Zulianto, owner of a meatball and chicken noodle stall in Kedonganan, Bali Credit: Ade Mardiyati - journalist in Bali
“Because if I look at the natives here now they are more likely to choose the cuisine of the immigrant citizens,” he said.
Jakarta resident Annisa Harniati also admitted that she had no trouble finding halal food during her vacation in Bali. This hijab woman is free to choose a variety of halal food products in the places she visits.
“Many of the local foods don't sell pigs, so be safe,” he said.
Muslim tourists at a halal food stall in Ubud, Bali Credit: Ade Mardiyati - journalist in Bali
—----- Ade Mardiyati
