Holy Lailatul Qadr tonight

The holy Shab-e-Qadr, also known as Lailatul Qadr (the Night of Decree or power), when the first verses of the holy Quran were revealed to Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), will be observed across the country tonight.

The Muslim devotees will pass the night by offering special prayers, reciting the holy Quran, holding 'Zikr' and other religious rituals, seeking blessings of the almighty Allah for long life, peace and progress for themselves, their families, relatives, friends as well as the nation and the Muslim Ummah.

Marking the Lailatul Qadr, tomorrow is a public holiday.

Newspapers published special articles while state-run Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private television channels are airing special programmes highlighting the significance of the Lailatul Qadr.

According to the holy Quran, the night is better than 1,000 nights as the angels and the spirit descend therein, by the permission of almighty Allah with all decrees.

The night of Lailatul Qadr is one of the holiest and most blessed nights which is likely to occur on one of the odd number nights in the last 10 days of Ramadan and most likely to be the 27th of the holy month.

Devotees, on the nights, usually visit graveyards to seek eternal blessings for the departed souls of their near and dear ones.

To the Muslims, the entire month of Ramadan is a period of spiritual training. Besides fasting, they devote themselves to praying, reciting the holy Quran and offering charity.

A doa-mahfil and discussion will be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque here this evening.

On the occasion of Lailatul Qadr, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has greeted the country's people and the Muslim Ummah.

"On the occasion of the holy Lailatul Qadr, I extend my heartfelt greetings and mubarakbad to all Muslims around the world, including the countrymen," he said in a message issued on Sunday.

The prime minister said the Lailatul Qadr is a glorious and blessed night, while the Holy Quran was descended on this glorious night of the holy month of Ramadan.

Noting that Almighty Allah has declared that this night is better than thousand months, he said the night brings a message of welfare, forgiveness and mercy for mankind.

Tarique Rahman said this night creates a unique opportunity to gain proximity to Almighty Allah through prayers, repentance and supplication.

The Ramadan is a month of restraint, self-purification, tolerance and awakening of human values, he said.

The premier said the lessons of the Lailatul Qadr inspire all to establish peace, justice and welfare in their individual, social and national lives.

"Let us all get involved in prayers more to attain the pleasure of Almighty Allah and dedicate ourselves to the welfare of humanity by understanding the significance of the night," he said.

Tarique Rahman prayed to Allah Almighty that infinite mercy and blessings of the holy Lailatul Qadr are poured in on all.

May Allah guide the country and its people to the path of progress, peace, harmony and welfare, he said.

"May the glory of the holy Lailatul Qadr bring peace, harmony and welfare to our lives," he added.