Holy Ramadan begins

The holy month of Ramadan of 1446 Hijri begins in the country on Sunday as the new moon was sighted in the sky of Bangladesh on Saturday.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee held at the conference room of Islamic Foundation (IF) at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the evening, said a press release.

As per the decision, the holy Shab-e-Qadr or Lailatul Qadr, the night when the first verses of the holy Quran were revealed to Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), will be observed at the night of March 27 (Thursday night).

It is the most important time in the Islamic calendar where Muslims fast and refrain from eating or drinking between dawn and sunset.

Muslims also believe it is a time for self-reflection and renewing their faith to Allah, with giving charity also know as zakat and reciting special evening prayers known as Taraweeh, being an important aspect of the month.

All government, semi-government and private offices have arranged new office schedule during the Ramadan.