Ramadan begins Tuesday

Holy Ramadan, the lunar month of self-purification through fasting and abstinence, begins in the country on Tuesday as the new moon sighted in Bangladesh sky on Monday. Lailatul Qadr, the night of divine blessing and benediction, will be observed on the night of July 2.

The National Moon Sighting Committee took the decision in a meeting at its Islamic Foundation office on Monday evening after reviewing reports on moon sighting for the holy month of Ramadan.Religious Affairs Minister Principal Motiur Rahman and other committee members were present at the meeting. Dhaka, UNB News Agency Reported.

Muslims are meant to fast from dawn to dusk during the lunar month, a time of restraint and austerity. During the holy month, all government, semi-government and autonomous and semi-autonomous organisations will follow new office timing as announced by the government.

All these offices will remain open from 9:00am to 3:30pm with a 15-minute prayer break from 1:15pm to 1:30pm during the month. Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia have greeted the Muslim Ummah on the occasion.