When will Ramadan begin in Bangladesh? Decision on Saturday

If the moon is spotted on Saturday, Muslims will perform Taraweeh prayers that night, have Sehri in the early hours and begin their fast the following day

The start date of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting and reflection, in Bangladesh is set to be confirmed on Saturday.

The National Moon Sighting Committee is scheduled to meet at the Islamic Foundation’s conference room in Baitul Mukarram National Mosque after the Maghrib prayer to review moon sighting reports and determine the start of the holy month.

AFM Khalid Hossain, advisor to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, will preside over the meeting, Islamic Foundation said in a statement.

The public has also been urged to report any sighting of the Ramadan moon anywhere in Bangladesh to the authorities via telephone or fax, or by contacting their local district administration or Upazila executive officer, or UNO.

The contact numbers for reporting moon sightings are: 02-223381725, 02-41050912, 02-41050916, and 02-41050917.

If the crescent moon is spotted on Saturday, Ramadan in Bangladesh will begin on Sunday, Mar 2. In that case, Muslims will perform Taraweeh prayers on Saturday evening, have Sehri in the early hours and begin their fast the following day.

However, if the moon is not sighted on Saturday, the month of Shaban will complete 30 days on Sunday, and Ramadan will begin on Monday. This means the first Taraweeh prayers will be held on Sunday night, followed by Sehri late at night before the fast begins.