The country will celebrate Eid ul Fitr on Saturday after the moon of Shawwal 1447 Hijri was not sighted in the country on Thursday, the National Moon Sighting Committee announced.
Religious Affairs Minister and committee president Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain confirmed the decision following a meeting at the Islamic Foundation conference room in Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.
"The moon of holy Shawwal month of 1447 Hijri was not sighted in the sky of the country today. The holy Eid ul Fitr will be celebrated on Saturday," he told reporters.
The main Eid congregation will take place at 8:30am at the National Eidgah on the High Court premises in Dhaka. Mufti Muhammad Abdul Malek, Khatib of Baitul Mukarram, will lead the prayers, with Dr Maulana Md Abu Saleh Patwari of the Islamic Foundation serving as alternate imam.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will attend the main congregation, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam said after inspecting the venue on Thursday.
The Chief Justice, cabinet members, Supreme Court judges, senior political figures and top civil and military officials are also expected to join.
Dhaka South City Corporation is organizing the congregation at the National Eidgah. Administrator Md Abdus Salam said arrangements have been made for around 35,000 worshippers, including separate facilities for women. Security will be ensured by police, RAB and other agencies, with Special Security Force personnel handling VVIP protection.
The venue has been cordoned off and equipped with newly installed water taps for ablution. Two main entrances have been designated, including a VVIP gate through the Supreme Court compound and a separate entrance for women.
Five Eid congregations will be held consecutively at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque starting at 7:00am, with prayers at 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:00am and 10:45am.
Different imams will lead each session, including Maulana Mizanur Rahman, Mufti Muhibbullahil Baqi Nadvi, Maulana Md Zakir Hossain, Maulana Zobayer Ahmed Al Azhari and Mufti Maulana Mohammad Abdullah.
An Eid congregation is also scheduled at 8:00am at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban for MPs, secretariat officials and nearby residents. Separate prayer arrangements have been made for women.
Participants are requested to arrive on time with ablution completed and are advised not to bring items other than prayer mats, mobile phones and umbrellas.
Eid ul Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. Muslims fast from dawn to dusk during Ramadan and celebrate Eid with prayers, family visits, feasts and the exchange of sweets. Children traditionally receive new clothes and Salami, cash gifts from elders. The day is also a time for forgiveness and gratitude, with many Muslims distributing charity to those in need.
