National
Nationwide observed holy Eid-ul-Fitr
The highly anticipated Eid-ul-Fitr, a significant religious festival for Muslims, will be celebrated nationwide tomorrow, as the Shawwal moon of 1445 Hijri was not sighted in Bangladesh on Tuesday.
“The Shawwal moon of 1445 Hijri was not sighted in Bangladesh on Tuesday. Consequently, Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Thursday,” stated Shayla Sharmin, Assistant Public Relations Officer of the Islamic Foundation (IF), to BSS following the National Moon Sighting Committee meeting.
The meeting, chaired by Religious Affairs Minister and President of the National Moon Sighting Committee Md Faridul Haque Khan, convened at the IF meeting room in Baitul Mokarram National Mosque on Tuesday evening.
President Mohammed Sahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are set to issue separate messages extending greetings to the nation and Muslims worldwide on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
The central congregation for Eid-ul-Fitr prayers is scheduled at the National Eidgah on the High Court premises at 8:30 am tomorrow. In case of adverse weather conditions or other unavoidable circumstances, the congregation will convene at 9 am at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.
Additionally, another congregation will be held at 8:30 am at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) on Eid day.
Furthermore, five Eid congregations will take place at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque on Eid-ul-Fitr day, starting at 7 am with subsequent Jamaats scheduled at 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, and 10:45 am respectively.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin is expected to lead the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the National Eidgah Maidan, accompanied by hundreds of people from various walks of life. Notable figures of the country, including the Chief Justice, cabinet members, Supreme Court judges, lawmakers, senior political leaders, and high-ranking civil and military officials, will also participate.
The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) will oversee the Eid congregation, with special arrangements made for women to offer prayers at the national Eidgah. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has implemented comprehensive security measures to ensure law and order during Eid-ul-Fitr.
Eid-ul-Fitr, an Arabic term meaning “festival of breaking the fast,” signifies the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, observed during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
During Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn until dusk. On the morning of Eid, devotees typically gather at mosques and prayer venues to perform Eid prayers and exchange greetings.
The festival is characterized by visits to friends and relatives, hosting food gatherings, and sharing sweets. Children receive new clothes, shoes, and cash gifts known as “Salami” from elders, relatives, and well-wishers.
Eid-ul-Fitr is a time for forgiveness and gratitude to Allah for enabling individuals to complete their month-long spiritual fasting. Many Muslims engage in acts of charity by distributing cash and food to the less fortunate.
National
Professor Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman Appointed Vice-Chancellor of Northern University Bangladesh
Professor Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, a distinguished academic from the Department of Marketing at the University of Dhaka, has been appointed the new Vice-Chancellor of Northern University Bangladesh (NUB). The Ministry of Education confirmed the appointment through an official notification issued on Sunday (23 November), signed by Sultan Ahmed, Assistant Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, on behalf of the President.
The notice states that, with the approval of the Honorable President and Chancellor, Professor Rahman will serve a four-year term as Vice-Chancellor under Section 31(1) of the Private University Act, 2010. He will receive all salary, allowances, and benefits as determined by the university, and his duties will commence immediately in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
Professor Rahman has an outstanding academic background. He secured First Class First in his Honors degree from the University of Dhaka’s Marketing Department, achieving record-breaking marks. He completed his MBA with dual majors in Finance and Marketing at Dalhousie University in Canada, graduating in the top 1% of his class. He later earned his Master’s degree (First Class Second) and PhD from the same department at the University of Dhaka.
During his illustrious 35-year career, he has served as Chairman of the Department of Marketing at the University of Dhaka for three years and was elected to both the Syndicate and Senate of the university. He also served as Dean at Daffodil International University and has taught as an adjunct professor at North South University, BRAC University, and Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).
Professor Rahman has an extensive body of research, with over 35 publications, including four international papers and three research monographs. Several MPhil and PhD scholars have completed their degrees under his supervision. He also served for many years as Vice President of the Dhaka University Marketing Alumni Association.
Outside academia, he has contributed significantly to the corporate sector and educational governance. He has worked as an independent director and strategic adviser to various reputed organizations and has served on the governing bodies of several well-known colleges in Dhaka. He currently holds the position of Chairman of the North South Society.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
