Bangladesh to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Saturday as Shawwal moon not sighted

In Dhaka, the main Eid congregation will be held at the National Eidgah ground at 8:30am

.

The biggest Muslim festival Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated in Bangladesh on Saturday as the moon for the month Shawwal in the Islamic calendar has not been sighted.

The announcement came on Thursday evening after a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee at the Islamic Foundation, chaired by Religious Affairs Minister Shah Mofazzal Hossain.

Muslims across the country will observe 30 days of fasting this year, as Ramadan began on Feb 19.

Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated at the end of the holy month of fasting.

Saudi Arabia and several countries in the Middle East, Europe, US, and Canada are set to celebrate Eid on Friday, a day before Bangladesh.

Several districts in the country also celebrate Eid alongside Saudi Arabia.

The government declared seven days of holiday from Mar 17 to 23.

In keeping with tradition, the main Eid congregation will be held at the National Eidgah adjacent to the High Court at 8:30am.

Five Eid prayer services will also be held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.

Authorities have already completed preparations at the National Eidgah ground for the main Eid prayer congregation.