Azlan Othman & Adib Noor
By command 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 Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) has announced that the first day of Ramadhan for 1443 Hijrah falls tomorrow following the failure to sight the hilal (crescent).
The delegation assigned to sight the new moon, comprising Syar’ie judges and officials from Syariah Court, Attorney General’s Chambers, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA), State Mufti’s Office and the Survey Department, failed to sight the new moon at several designated areas.
This year, four places were earmarked for moon-sighting, namely Bukit Agok in Jerudong, Tanjung Batu in Pekan Muara, Bukit Ambog in Tutong District and Bukit Lumut in Belait District.
According to Syara’ law, the month of Sya’aban for 1443 Hijrah is to be completed for 30 days.
The result of the moon sighting was relayed to Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman as the President of MUIB during a meeting at the MoRA premises yesterday.
Members of MUIB comprising Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, Chief Syar’ie Judge Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar and Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar as MUIB Vice-President also attended the meeting.
While waiting for the outcome of the moon sighting, a religious event was held at the MoRA, which saw the recitation of Al-Quran verses by Year 11 student of Sayyidina Husain Secondary School Ahmad Hasanuddin bin Murni, who was the third place winner of the Al-Quran reading competition in Youth Al-Quran Reading Scheme.
It was followed by the recitation of Tahlil and Doa Arwah and mass Maghrib prayer.
Fasting during Ramadhan is one of the five pillars of Islam, along with the Muslim declaration of faith, performing five daily prayers, alms-giving (Zakat) and performing Haj pilgrimage.
Working hours at government ministries and departments throughout the month of Ramadhan will be from 8am to 2pm.
For ministries and departments working on Fridays, the working hours will be from 8-11.30am.
During Ramadhan, local eateries are advised not to serve dine-in customers in daylight hours.
Under Chapter 195 of the Syariah Penal Code Order, 2013, eateries caught serving diners in day time will be prosecuted for disrespecting the holy month.
Consuming food, drinking and smoking in public places during daylight hours are offences under the law, under which offenders can be prosecuted.
