Bangladesh to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha on May 28

The government has announced a seven-day break for the Muslim festival of sacrifice

আনুষ্ঠানিকভাবে হাট বসতে সপ্তাহখানেক বাকি থাকলেও অনেক ব্যাপারি হাটে গরু আনতে শুরু করেছেন।সোমবার রাজধানীর পোস্তগোলা শ্মশানঘাট হাট থেকে তোলা। ছবি: আব্দুল্লাহ আল মমীন

Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated across Bangladesh on May 28 after the Zil Hajj moon was sighted in the country.

The decision came at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee held at the Islamic Foundation office in Baitul Mukarram on Monday.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad) chaired the meeting.

After the meeting, officials confirmed that the crescent moon of the month of Zil Hajj had been seen in Bangladesh’s skies.

So, the final month of the Islamic calendar will begin on Tuesday.

Eid-ul-Azha is observed on the 10th day of Zil Hajj and marks one of the most significant religious festivals for Muslims, centred on animal sacrifice, symbolising devotion, purification and obedience to God.

This year, the government has declared a seven-day holiday from May 25 to May 31 to mark the occasion.

In Saudi Arabia, the Zil Hajj moon was sighted on Sunday, with Eid-ul-Azha set for May 27 and the main Hajj rituals scheduled for May 26.

Bangladesh traditionally observes the festival a day after Saudi Arabia.