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.
