Moon sighting committee sits today

Bangladesh is preparing to sight the crescent moon that will determine the date of Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the biggest religious celebrations for Muslims. The country's National Moon Sighting Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday evening to decide the date of Eid based on moon sightings across the nation.

According to a notice from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the meeting will be held at the conference room of the Islamic Foundation in Dhaka under the chairmanship of the Religious Affairs Minister. The committee will review reports of the Shawwal crescent moon sighting from various parts of Bangladesh before making an official announcement.

The Islamic Foundation has requested citizens to inform authorities if they sight the Shawwal moon anywhere in the country. Reports can be made to the National Moon Sighting Committee via telephone at 02-223381725, 02-41050912, 02-41050916, and 02-41050917, or via fax at 02-223383397 and 02-9555951. People may also notify their local Deputy Commissioner (DC) or Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).

Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan and is celebrated both as a religious and cultural festival in Bangladesh. In the days leading up to the holiday, millions of people leave major cities to return to their hometowns and celebrate with family and loved ones.

Meanwhile, authorities in Saudi Arabia have announced that Eid-ul-Fitr will be observed on Friday, as the Shawwal moon was not sighted there.

The final decision for Bangladesh, however, will depend on the official announcement from the National Moon Sighting Committee after Thursday evening's meeting.