Economy
Bangladesh to Celebrate Eid-ul-Adha on June 29
In an eagerly awaited announcement, the National Moon Sighting Committee declared that the holy festival of Eid-ul-Adha will be celebrated throughout Bangladesh on June 29. The decision was made during a meeting held at the prestigious Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the capital city, Dhaka, following the sighting of the Zilhaj moon on Monday evening within the territory of Bangladesh.
Chaired by MD A Hamid Zamadder, the Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the committee discussed and confirmed the sighting, setting the stage for the joyous commemoration of Eid-ul-Adha. This religious occasion, considered the second largest festival in the Islamic calendar, holds immense significance for Muslims worldwide.
Eid-ul-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, falls on the 10th day of Zilhaj, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It commemorates the story of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, as an act of obedience to Allah. Muslims engage in various rituals during this period, including the offering of animal sacrifices, sharing of festive meals, and charitable acts.
The announcement has sparked excitement and fervor among Muslims across Bangladesh, as preparations for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha festivities are set into motion. Families will come together to exchange greetings, visit mosques for special prayers, and adorn traditional attire, symbolizing unity and joy.
With the much-anticipated Eid-ul-Adha approaching, individuals are making necessary arrangements to ensure a memorable celebration. Markets are abuzz with shoppers seeking new clothes, accessories, and delicacies to enhance the festive spirit. The sacrificial animal marketplaces are also witnessing a flurry of activity, as people select livestock for their symbolic sacrifices.
As the date draws near, communities are organizing various cultural and social events to embrace the spirit of Eid-ul-Adha. Volunteer groups and charitable organizations are actively engaged in distributing meat and essential items to the less fortunate, reinforcing the spirit of generosity and compassion that permeates this sacred occasion.
Eid-ul-Adha serves as a time for reflection, gratitude, and togetherness, reminding individuals of the values of sacrifice, devotion, and solidarity. The forthcoming celebrations on June 29 promise to be a vibrant and meaningful experience, bringing joy and blessings to the people of Bangladesh as they join Muslims around the world in observing this significant religious festival.
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday paid tribute to the Armed Forces Division by placing a floral wreath at its headquarters.
Prof Yunus, who visited the division as part of his official duties, laid the wreath to honor the sacrifices and dedication of the members of the Armed Forces.
Following the wreath-laying ceremony, he signed the visitor’s book.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal, along with four other election commissioners, announced their resignation during a press conference today at the Election Commission (EC) building. The resignation follows growing speculation and pressure.
CEC Awal stated, “In this changed situation, I and other commissioners have decided to step down. We’re handing over our resignation letters to the EC Secretary to send it to the President.” After submitting the letters, the CEC and some commissioners quickly left the premises, with no clear explanation for the absence of two election commissioners.
The resignations come amid increasing unrest tied to the registration of political parties such as Nagarik Oikya and Gono Odhikar Parishad. Sources revealed the CEC felt unsafe due to aggressive behavior from activists, prompting the decision to step down.
Protesters outside the EC building hurled shoes at vehicles carrying Election Commissioners Rashida Sultana, Md Alamgir, and Anisur Rahman as they left. Meanwhile, preparations for their exit had already been underway, with the commissioners reportedly relocating personal belongings from their offices.
The commission, appointed in February 2022 for a five-year term, had previously expressed confusion over demands for their resignation, maintaining they had conducted fair elections. However, internal discussions led to the collective decision to resign earlier than expected.
The government will now purchase LNG from the international spot market through open tender instead of negotiation.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in a meeting on Wednesday in principle approved a proposal in this regard.
Adviser of the interim government for Finance Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, who presided over the meeting, said that the government will procure LNG through open tender.
The Energy and Mineral Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources placed the proposal where it sought approval to import LNG from 23 listed companies in the international spot market.
The adviser said that though such 23 companies were enlisted by the previous Awami League government and signed Master Sales and Purchase Agreement, they will remain unchanged.
He said that instead of applying the Speedy Increase of Energy and Power Supply (Special) Act 2010, the interim government will follow the Public Procurement Rules 2008 to ensure the competitive bidding process.
“We don’t want to change them as we wanted to import LNG quickly, ensuring proper competition among the suppliers,” he told reporters.
Committee also approved another proposal in principle to sign a contract to import urea fertiliser for the 2024-25 fiscal year from Fertiglobe Distribution Limited, UAE, on a G-to-G basis.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Committee on Government Procurement (CCGP) in a meeting, presided over by the Adviser for Finance, approved 3 proposals for import of lentil and fertiliser.
As per the proposal, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh will procure 10,000 metric tons (MT) of lentil from local firm Sahara Enterprise at a cost of Tk 98.20 crore with each kg priced at Tk 98.20.
The Commerce Ministry which moved the proposal on behalf of the TCB in the meeting mentioned in the proposal that the supplier firm was selected through open tender.
The CCGP approved two separate proposals of the Industries Ministry under which Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation will import 30,000 MT of bulk granular urea fertiliser from Fertiglobe Distribution Limited, UAE, under state to state contract at a cost of Tk 121.48 crore.
Each metric ton of fertiliser will cost $343.17.
Another 30,000 MT of bagged granular urea fertiliser will be procured from the local Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (Kafco) at a cost of Tk 116.99 crore with each metric ton costing $330.50.
