The announcement was made last 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.

The moon-sighting announcement, verified by Chief Syar’ie Judge Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar, was broadcast on the state broadcaster Radio Television Brunei (RTB).

Ceremonies to sight the new moon of Syawal 1440 Hijrah were witnessed by Syar’ie judges, officials from the State Judiciary Department and State Mufti’s Office of the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Survey Department of the Ministry of Development, the announcement said.

At the same time, a religious event was also observed at the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Multaqa Hall in Jalan Menteri Besar, while waiting the results of the moon-sighting.

The guest of honour was Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, in his capacity as the President of Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB).

Members of the MUIB; including Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, Chief Syar’ie Judge, and Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar were also present.

The moon-sighting event at the DST Tower in Jerudong was attended by Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar, as well as senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Development, Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications and Ministry of Religious Affairs. Moon-sighting events were also held at Bukit Agok in the Brunei-Muara District, Bukit Ambog in the Tutong District and Bukit Lumut in the Belait District.

Starting tomorrow, the country will enjoy a long weekend to observe three days of public holiday. Mass Sunnat 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 for three days, beginning on the second day of Hari Raya, between 10am and 12 noon and between 2pm and 4pm.