BY COMMAND of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the nation will be celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri tomorrow, the first day of Syawal 1434 Hijrah corresponding to August 9, 2013, as the ‘hilal’ or new moon for Syawal 1434 Hijrah was not sighted at moon sighting points in Brunei-Muara, Tutong and Belait yesterday.

In light of this, Muslims in the Sultanate are obliged to complete 30 days of fasting.

The announcement was broadcast yesterday evening over RTB by Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Metussin bin Haji Baki, the Syariah High Court Judge.

The country will observe three days of public holiday beginning tomorrow. Hari Raya Aidilfitri prayers will be held in all mosques and suraus across the country at 7.30am tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Istana Nurul Iman will be open to the public, giving the people an opportunity to greet the royal family for three days beginning from the second day of Hari Raya between 10am and 12 noon and between 2pm and 4pm.

Yesterday’s moon sighting at Bukit Shahbandar was attended by Minister of Development Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, Syar’ie judges and officials from the Judiciary Department and State Mufti’s Department of the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the Survey Department of the Ministry of Development. Senior officials from the Ministry of Communications were also present. (8 August 2013)