Holy month of Ramadan begins

The holy month of Ramadan of 1444 Hijri begins today in the country.

The decision was made at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting  Committee at the conference room of Islamic Foundation at the Baitul  Mukarram National Mosque yesterday, read an Islamic Foundation press  release.

As per its 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.

 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.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said this holy month  creates an opportunity of self-rectification through self-restraint.

"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," Hasina said.