Bangladesh to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Friday

Bangladesh will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the largest religious festivals of Muslims, on Friday as the moon for the month of Shawwal has not been sighted, says a national committee.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee on Wednesday evening after reviewing the information of Shawwal moon sighting.

National Moon Sighting Committee President and Faridul Haque Khan, State Minister of the Religious Affairs Ministry presided over the meeting.

Like last year, Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated this year in a different scenario without any outdoor programmes and Eid congregations across the country due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The government urged Muslim devotees to avoid Eidgah or other open places for Eid congregations and offer prayers at mosques maintaining recommended health advice.

The Religious Affairs Ministry also suggested disinfecting mosques before the Eid prayer and not rolling out carpets on the floors.

The devotees have been urged to bring prayer mats from home. Besides, arrangements should be made at the entrances of the mosques for washing hands.

The devotees must wear masks inside mosques and avoid using prayer mats and caps that were stored earlier there.

Children, elderly people, people with physical ailment, and those who are involved in taking care of the sick will not be allowed to attend the Eid prayer.