Dhaka, June 25 – Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival of Muslims, will be celebrated in the country on Monday as the Shawwal moon was sighted in Bangladesh sky on late Sunday afternoon.The National Moon Sighting Committee took the decision at a meeting held at the Islamic Foundation’s Baitul Mukarram office on Sunday evening after reviewing information of the Shawwal moon sighting.
At a post-meeting briefing, Religious Affairs Minister Principal Matior Rahman told reporters that the Shawwal moon was sighted in Bangladesh sky.
Thousands of people have already left the capital for their village homes to celebrate Eid with their loved ones.
The main Eid-ul-Fitr congregation will be held at the Jatiya Eidgah in the capital at 8:30am.
In case of inclement weather, the main congregation will be held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 9 am.
Five more congregations will be held at the National Mosque at 7 am, 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, and 10:45 am.
The country’s largest Eid congregation is likely to be held at Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj at 10 am.
On the Eid day, the national flag will be hoisted atop public and private buildings.
The main thoroughfares and road islands have been decorated with the national flag and banners inscribed with ‘Eid Mubarak’ in Bangla and Arabic. Public buildings will be illuminated on the occasion.
BTV and other television channels, and Bangladesh Betar and private radio stations will air special programmes.
Improved diets will be served at hospitals, jails, government children homes and vagrant welfare centres.
President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia have issued separate messages greeting people on the occasion.
In his message, the President said after a month-long siam practice, Eid-ul-Fitr brings messages of pure joy and pleasure for the mankind. “Eid builds the ties of harmony, amity and unity among people of all classes and professions.”
He hoped that the teachings of Eid-ul-Fitr will inspire all in building a prosperous Bangladesh.
In her message, the Prime Minister said, “Eid teaches us about peace, sympathy and brotherhood.”
Law enforcement agencies, including police and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), have taken additional security measures across the country ahead of Eid to avert any untoward incident.
