Bangladesh to celebrate Shab-e-Meraj on Jan 16

The National Moon Sighting Committee announces the date after a meeting

Bangladesh will observe Shab-e-Meraj on the Jan 16 night following the sighting of the moon.

The National Moon Sighting Committee confirmed the date on Sunday during a meeting chaired by Religious Affairs Advisor AFM Khalid Hossain, held in the conference room of the Islamic Foundation.

The foundation later issued a media statement announcing the date following the meeting.

The statement said the crescent moon of the holy month of Rajab of the 1447 Hijri year was sighted in the skies over Bangladesh on Sunday.

As a result, the month of Rajab will begin from Monday. Accordingly, the Shab-e-Meraj will be observed across the country on Friday, Jan 16.

The day following Shab-e-Meraj is usually a government holiday. This year, however, it falls on the weekly holiday of Saturday.

Shab-e-Meraj is observed on the night of Rajab 26 in the Hijri calendar. According to Islamic belief, on the night of Meraj, Prophet Muhammad (SM) ascended to the heavens and attained an audience with Allah.

Muslims around the world observe the night through acts of worship, spending it in recitation of the Quran, prayers, and religious gatherings.