Eid-ul-Fitr to Be Observed on Saturday in Bangladesh After Moon Sighting Fails
The crescent moon marking the start of Shawwal, 1447 Hijri, was not visible in Bangladesh on Thursday. As a result, the month of Ramadan will complete its 30-day cycle, and Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Saturday.
Moon Sighting Committee Confirms Decision
Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad announced the decision after a meeting of the Moon Sighting Committee at the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram in Dhaka.
“The committee reviewed reports from district administrations, the Islamic Foundation, Bangladesh Meteorological Department, and the Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARSO). Based on these observations, the crescent moon for Shawwal was not visible,” the minister said.
Eid-ul-Fitr: Significance and Timing
Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of a month of fasting during Ramadan, is the most important religious festival for Muslims. The date is traditionally determined based on the moon sighting.
Key Officials Present at the Meeting
Officials attending Thursday’s meeting included Religious Ministry Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad, Islamic Foundation Director General A. Salam Khan, Foreign Ministry Director (West Asia) Md. Humayun Kabir, Joint Secretary of Religious Affairs Sadequl Ahmed, Meteorological Department Director Md. Mominul Islam, SPARSO Chief Scientific Officer Mohammad Shahidul Islam, and senior religious scholars from Dhaka and other institutions.
How the Hijri Calendar Determines Eid
According to the Hijri calendar, lunar months last 29 or 30 days depending on the moon sighting. If the crescent is sighted on the 29th day of Ramadan, Eid is celebrated the next day. If not, Eid is observed after the completion of 30 days of fasting.
