With the consent of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, it has been announced that Muslims in Brunei Darussalam will begin fasting for the month of Ramadhan tomorrow (Tuesday, August 2).

The announcement, broadcast on radio and television, was made earlier yesterday evening by the Syariah High Court Judge Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Metussin bin Haji Baki.

Syarie Court judges and officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the State Mufti's Department, as well as officers from the Survey Department, Ministry of Development were involved to sight the new moon of Ramadhan 1432 Hijrah. The new moon of Ramadhan was not sighted.

The Syarie Court judges and officials tried to sight the new moon from vantage points at Bukit Shahbandar in Jerudong, Bukit Agok and Bukit Ambok in the Tutong District as well as at Bukit Lumut in the Belait District. The nightly 'Sunat Terawikh' prayer will begin today while 'bertedarus' ceremonies will also be held at all mosques and suraus in the country.

Meanwhile, while waiting for the result of the sighting of the new moon, the Ministry of Religious Affairs held a ceremony at the ministry's building, attended by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad bin Pengiran Hj Abdul Rahman, and Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman, Minister of Home Affairs.

Also present were Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Permanent Secretaries, Deputy Permanent Secretaries as well as senior officers from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The ceremony began with the recitation of the Quran followed by a 'tahlil', 'doa arwah', thanksgiving prayers and mass maghrib prayers.

Working hours at government ministries and departments throughout the month of Ramadhan will be from eight in the morning until two in the afternoon. For daily paid workers, it will be one hour less than the usual working hours. - Borneo Bulletin (1st August 2011)