Ramadan kicks off

Muslims in Bangladesh began their holy month of fasting from Saturday as the Ramadan moon was sighted around the country on Friday evening.

The time for Iftar on the day is at 6:50pm.

Devotees around the world will fast from dawn to dusk until the Eid-ul Fitr is held on the first day of the month of Shawal following the Muslim calendar.

State Minister for Religious Affairs Shahjahan Miah on Friday evening chaired a meeting of the National Moon-sighting Committee that came up with the decision.

Tarabih prayers were held at mosques around the country from Friday night and will continue throughout Ramadan.

Muslims elsewhere in the world – in places like Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Malaysia – began their fasting a day ahead of Bangladesh.

In Bangladesh, Muslims in certain parts of of Chandpur, Faridpur and Patuakhali follow Saudi Arabia and began observing Ramadan from Friday.

The eldest son of Pir Mawlana Abu Jofar Md Abdul Hye of Sadra village in Hajiganj upazila, Mawlana Mohammad Arif Ullah told bdnews24.com that the Muslim residents of these villages have long been celebrating various religious occasions in line with the Saudi Arabia.

Muslims believe their holy book Qura’n was revealed to the Great Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) during this month in the 7th century A.D.

Source: bdnews24