Holy Ramadan begins today

The holy month of Ramadan of 1443 Hijri will begin in the country tomorrow as the new moon was sighted in the sky of Bangladesh Sunday. The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee at the conference room of Islamic Foundation (IF) at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque here Saturday evening, said an IF press release.

State Minister for Religious Affairs and National Moon Sighting Committee President Md Faridul Haque Khan presided over the meeting.

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 April 28 (Thursday night). 

Muslims are meant to fast from dawn to dusk during the lunar month, a time of restraint and austerity.  President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages greeting the countrymen and all Muslim ummah across the world with the advent of the holy month of Ramadan.

President Abdul Hamid, in his message, said, "The holy month of Ramadan fulfilled with blessings (Barkat) has come again after a year. This holy brings a unique opportunity of getting closer to Allah and attaining taqwa (fear of Allah)".

Noting that the whole Muslim Ummah observes the month with due religious fervor to attain self-restraint, self-rectification and forgiveness, he said fasting plays a vital role in establishing sympathy, amity and brotherhood among all, including the rich and the poor.

The President hoped that the people would be able to realize the sanctity and significance of the holy Ramadan and reflect it in their personal and social lives and contribute to building a peaceful society.

The infection of the coronavirus has declined remarkably in Bangladesh due to the government's pragmatic measurers in tackling the global pandemic, Hamid said, adding, "But, to prevent the further spread of the virus, I would like to ask the countrymen to follow the proper health and safety guidelines". 

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said this holy month create an opportunity of self-rectification through self-restraint and getting closer to, and satisfaction and forgiveness of the almighty Allah.

The fasting plays a vital role in establishing sympathy, amity and brotherhood among all, including the rich and the poor, she also said. 

Noting that the government has taken necessary measures to tackle the global pandemic coronavirus, the premier urged the countrymen to offer prayers including taraweeh maintaining the health guidelines in the holy Ramadan.

"Let's be inspired by the teachings of the Ramadan and protect the holiness of the Ramzan, showing modesty, patience and restraint at all levels of life and shunning all forms of pleasure, hatred, merriment and conflict," Sheikh Hasina said.

She prayed to Almighty Allah for recovery of the country, nation as well as the whole world from the global pandemic coronavirus. Ramadan, also known as Ramzan, is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is a time when Muslims around the world focus on prayers, fasting, giving to charity and religious devotion.

Fasting not only entails the elimination of food during the hours of sunlight, but also drinking (all beverages, including water), smoking, sex and "impure thoughts", which can include violence, sexual thoughts and curse words.

All government, semi-government and private offices have arranged new office schedule coinciding with the special arrangements for iftar for its officers, employees and staff.