Holy month of Ramadan begins

The holy month of Ramadan of 1444 Hijri has begun in the country from today (Friday). 

The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee at the conference room of Islamic Foundation (IF) at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque held on March 23, said an IF press release.

As per the decision, the holy Shab-e-Qadr or Lailatul Qadr, the night when the first verses of the holy Quran were revealed to Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), will be observed on the night of April 18 (Tuesday night).

According to the IF press release, Muslims performed first Taraweeh prayer on Thursday night. 

Muslims are meant to fast from dawn to dusk during the lunar month, a time of restraint and austerity.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages greeting the countrymen and all Muslim Ummah across the world with the advent of the holy month of Ramadan.

Ramadan, also known as Ramzan, is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is a time when Muslims around the world focus on prayers, fasting, giving charity and religious devotion. 

All government, semi-government and private offices have arranged new office schedule coinciding with the special arrangements for iftar for its officers, employees and staff.

At a meeting held on Tuesday, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumdar said there is no reason for increasing prices of essential commodities during the month of Ramadan as the country has enough food in stock. 

Fisheries and Livestock Ministry sources said the government has taken initiatives to sell three key essential commodities -- milk, egg and meat -- at fair price in the city during the holy month of Ramadan. 

Under the initiative, 20 spots have been selected for selling the three essential commodities. Price of per kilogram (KG) beef has been fixed at Taka 640, mutton at Taka 940, dressed broiler meat at Taka 340 while milk per litre has been fixed at Taka 80 and per piece egg is Taka 12.