No Sight Of Syawal Moon, Hari Raya Set For Tomorrow
By Shafiyi Azahari

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei Darussalam will celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri tomorrow.

Syariah High Court Judge Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Awg Salim Besar announced yesterday that the new moon was not seen in any of the four designated places where the sighting exercises were carried out.

"This means that the first of Syawal for 1427H for Brunei Darussalam falls on Tuesday, October 24," said the judge, whose announcement was telecast live on Radio Televisyen Brunei.

He also said that Aidilfitri congregational prayers would be held on the morning of the first of Syawal in all mosques and prayer halls throughout the Sultanate.

The announcement also means that the people of the Sultanate will be hearing the special greetings from His Majesty the Sultan and Yang DiPertuan of Brunei Darussalam on RTB tonight.

Earlier, officials from the Syar'ie Court, Religious Affairs Ministry and the Survey Department, Ministry of Development conducted the sighting of the crescent moon.

The sightings were made at four designated locations in the state: Bukit Shahbandar in Jerudong, Tutong's Bukit Ambok and Bukit Agok and Belait's Bukit Lumut.

A total of 30 officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs Syariah Court and Survey Department were involved in the sighting exercise yesterday which started as early as 2pm.

In a separate event, the Religious Affairs Ministry held a gathering at its headquarters in the capital while awaiting the results.

The gathering was attended by the Minister, Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Awg Mohd Zain Serudin. Meanwhile, Muslims in neighbouring country Malaysia will also celebrate Hari Raya tomorrow.

The announcement was made yesterday over the nation's official station, Radio Televisyen Malaysia. The new moon did not make an appearance at 28 locations throughout the country picked for the sighting exercise.

In Jakarta, the Indonesian government yesterday declared after consulting the Badan

Hisab dan Rukyat or Astronomical Calculation Body that Aidilfitri would be tomorrow.

The decision was made after hearing reports from 29 observation posts across the archipelago. Cecep Nurendayana, an official from Jakarta Planetarium, which is a member of the astronomy body, said it was not possible for the new moon to be sighted as the distance between the angle of the moon and the sun was too close whereas the sun's light was 25 million times stronger than that reflected by the moon.

Despite the decision, Indonesia's second largest Islamic organisation, Muhammadiyah, has said that it will stick with its judgement that Aidilfitri falls today, meaning Muhammadiyah followers will be celebrating Syawal on the same day as Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia and most fellow Gulf Arab states will celebrate the first Syawal today to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will also start the holiday today, according to media reports in the region.

The timing of Aidilfitri can vary in different countries depending on the sighting of the new moon, which marks the start of the month in Islam's lunar calendar.

Brunei's government offices will be closed tomorrow and on Wednesday for the Hari Raya. Meanwhile, the Royal Brunei Police are urging Bruneians to take precautions when leaving their homes unattended for the holidays.  -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News

Brunei's Fastest Growing Website with