BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Muslims in Brunei will observe the first day of the holy month of Ramadhan tomorrow, as the ‘hilal’ (crescent) of the new moon of Ramadhan was not visible yesterday evening, Brudirect reported.
With the consent of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Syariah High Court Judge, Pengiran Haji Mohd Tashim bin Pengiran Haji Hassan, made the announcement last night on the state broadcaster, Radio Televisyen Brunei (RTB).
The bid to see the new moon of Ramadhan 1437 Hijrah was carried out by Syar’ie Court judges and officials from the Survey Department of the Ministry of Development, the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) and from the State Mufti’s Office.
The ‘hilal’ of the new moon of Ramadhan was not sighted, as confirmed by officials that were present.
Four vantage points were set in various locations across the country for the moon-sighting event: the DST Tower and Bukit Agok in Jerudong, Bukit Ambok in the Tutong District and Bukit Lumut in the Belait District.
Present at the moon-sighting event at the DST Tower yesterday was Dato Paduka Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar, Acting Minister of Development, together with Senior officials from the ministry and other ministries.
As Muslims in Brunei begin to observe the fourth pillar of Islam tomorrow, the nightly Tarawikh prayers and Witir, as well as the Tedarus Al-Quran, will commence following Isyak Prayers this evening at mosques and suraus across the country.
Working hours at government ministries and departments are from 8am to 2pm during Ramadhan. For government daily wage workers, their working hours will be one hour less than the usual working hours.
Local eateries are expected to not serve dine-in customers in daylight hours throughout the month of Ramadhan, under a law that was enforced in May 2014.
This law falls under Chapter 195 of the Syariah Penal Code Order, where eateries caught serving diners during the daytime could be prosecuted for disrespecting the month of Ramadhan.