| Hakim Hayat |
MUSLIMS in Brunei Darussalam will observe the first day of the holy month of fasting today as the Hilal (crescent) of the new moon of Ramadhan was sighted yesterday evening.
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 made the announcement on the state broadcaster Radio Television Brunei (RTB).
The sighting of the new moon for the 1st of Ramadhan 1438 Hijrah was carried out by Syariah Court judges and officials from the Survey Department of the Ministry of Development, the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA), Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department and the State Mufti’s Office.
Present at one of the vantage points, the DST Tower in Jalan Tungku Link, to join officials in the moon sighting yesterday was the Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Bahrin bin Abdullah.
Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Bahrin bin Abdullah during the sighting of the moon at DST Tower
Officials during the sighting of the moon at the DST Tower. – PHOTOS: AZROL AZMI
Five vantage points were set in various locations across the country for the moon sighting event – the DST Tower in Jalan Tungku Link, Bukit Agok in Jerudong, Tanjong Batu in Muara, Bukit Ambok in the Tutong District and Bukit Lumut in the Belait District.
As Muslims begin to observe the fourth pillar of Islam today, the nightly Tarawikh prayers and Witir as well as the Tedarus Al-Quran, commenced last evening following the Isyak prayer 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, the working hours will be one hour less than the usual timing.
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 under the Syariah Penal Code Order 2013. Smoking in public places during daylight is also an offence under the law and offenders can be prosecuted for disrespecting the holy month of Ramadhan.
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