BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Muslims in Brunei observed the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on Tuesday.

Twelve cannon shots were fired at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien in the capital, which unveiled the fasting month.

The daily period of fasting starts at the breaking of dawn and ends at the setting of the sun.

During the month of Ramadan, local eateries are required not to serve dine-in customers in daylight hours under a local law.

Consuming food, drinking and smoking in public places during daylight are also offenses under the law, under which offenders can be prosecuted for disrespecting the holy month of Ramadan.

But non-Muslims can buy fast food takeaway in restaurants or eateries.