Brunei Darussalam celebrates Hari Raya Aidilfitri for 1445 Hijrah tomorrow as the new moon of Syawal was not sighted yesterday.
The announcement was made yesterday night 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, following reports from officials and broadcast on Radio Television Brunei (RTB).
Syar’ie judges and officers from the Syariah Courts, State Judiciary Department, Prime Minister’s Office, as well as officers from the Survey Department, Ministry of Development were stationed at several designated locations for the sighting.
This year, five locations were designated: the DST Tower, Tanjung Batu and Bukit Agok in the Brunei-Muara District, the Hilal Building at Bukit Ambog in the Tutong District and the Hilal Building at Bukit Lumut in the Belait District.
The Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) convened after the sighting. Meanwhile, a religious ceremony was held, including the recitation of Al-Quran verses, Tahlil and Doa Arwah, followed by mass Maghrib prayer. Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman attended the event as MUIB President.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof and Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid also participated.
Syariah Court of Appeal Judge Dato Seri Setia Haji Johar bin Haji Muhamad, Deputy State Mufti Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Japar bin Haji Mat Dain @ Maidin, as well as members of the Legislative Council and the State Religious Council, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohd Tashim bin Pengiran Haji Hassan and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs Haji Mohammad Rosli bin Haji Ibrahim were also present.
As the new moon of Syawal was not sighted, Ramadhan will be completed with 30 days and the Sunnat Tarawih and Witr prayers will continue. Additionally, the Sunnat Hari Raya Aidilfitri prayers will commence tomorrow at 7.30am at all mosques, suraus and religious halls throughout the country. – Adib Noor
