DHAKA, March 23, 2023 (BSS) - The holy month of Ramadan of 1444 Hijri will begin in the country tomorrow. 

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 yesterday (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 will perform first Taraweeh prayer tonight and they will have Sehri in early hours of tomorrow. 

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.

President Abdul Hamid in his message said, "The holy month of Ramadan filled with blessings (Barkat) has come again after a year. This holy month brings a unique opportunity of getting closer to Allah and attaining taqwa (fear of Allah)".

Noting that the whole Muslim Ummah observes the month with due religious fervor to attain self-restraint, self-rectification and forgiveness, he said fasting plays a vital role in establishing sympathy, amity and brotherhood among all, including the rich and the poor.

The President hoped that the people would be able to realize the sanctity and significance of the holy Ramadan and reflect it in their personal and social lives and contribute to building a peaceful society.

He said the whole world including Bangladesh is facing economic crisis due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war. 

The President urged the affluent section of the people to extend their helping hands for poor people of the country during the month of Ramadan. 

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said this holy month creates an opportunity of self-rectification through self-restraint and getting closer to, and satisfaction and forgiveness of the Almighty Allah.

The fasting plays a vital role in establishing sympathy, amity and brotherhood among all, including the rich and the poor, she also said. 

"Let's be inspired by the teachings of the Ramadan and protect the holiness of the Ramadan, showing modesty, patience and restraint at all levels of life and shunning all forms of pleasure, hatred, merriment and conflict," Sheikh Hasina said.

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. 

He urged the businessmen to avoid any malpractices to keep the prices of essentials stable. 

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.