| Aziz Idris |
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 country will start celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri today (July 6) as the hilal (new moon) of Syawal was sighted at several vantage points across the country yesterday.
The moon sighting announcement verified by Dato Seri Setia Haji Zaimi bin Haji Talip, the Syariah High Court Judge, was broadcast last evening over state broadcaster Radio Televisyen Brunei (RTB) before the call for Isyak prayers.
The new moon was sighted at vantage points set up at DST Headquarters and Bukit Agok in Brunei-Muara District, Bukit Ambok in Tutong District and Bukit Lumut in Belait district.
Present to witness the moon sightings were Syar’ie Judges and officials from the State Judiciary Department and State Mufti’s Office of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) and the Survey Department of the Ministry of Development (MoD), the announcement said.
Personnel using advanced equipment for the moon sighting. – AZROL AZMI
The moon sighting at the DST Tower in Jerudong was attended by Dato Paduka Awang Haji Bahrin bin Abdullah, the Minister of Development together with senior officials from the PMO, MoD, Ministry of Communications and MoRA.
A religious event was observed at the MoRA building in Jalan Menteri Besar while awaiting the results of the moon sighting. Present was Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, the Minister of Religious Affairs.
The Sultanate will observe three days of public holiday starting today (July 6) with Hari Raya Aidilfitri prayers held in all mosques and suraus at 7.30am today.
The Istana Nurul Iman will be open to the public, giving an opportunity to the people to greet the royal family for three days beginning the second day of Hari Raya, between 10am and 12 noon and between 2pm and 4pm.
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