Eid-ul-Fitr to be celebrated tomorrow in Bangladesh

Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of Muslims, will be celebrated in the country tomorrow (Monday) as the Shawwal moon was not sighted in Bangladesh on Saturday evening, said Md Nurul Islam, secretary to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee last evening after reviewing the information of Shawwal moon sighting.

This year, Eid will be celebrated in a different scenario without any outdoor programme and Eid jamaat at Eidgahs across the country due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The government has urged Muslims to avoid Eidgah or other open places for Eid congregations and offer prayers at locals mosques maintaining recommended health advice.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs issued an emergency notification on May 14 in this regard, saying the decision was taken due to the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic.

"Although the Islamic Sharia encourages offering Eid prayer at Eidgah or open places, the devotees are now requested to offer their prayers at nearby mosques due to the coronavirus situation," the notification said, adding that there can be several Eid jamaat, if necessary.

It also suggested disinfecting mosques before the Eid prayer and not rolling out carpets on the floors.

The devotees have been urged to bring prayer mats from home. Besides, arrangements should be made at the entrances of the mosques for washing hands, the notification added.

The devotees must wear masks inside mosques and avoid using prayer mats and caps that were stored earlier there.

Children, elderly people, people with physical ailment, and those taking care of the sick should not be allowed to attend the jamaats.

Apart from these, the devotees were requested to shun handshaking and hugging after the prayer -- a common practice around the world.

However, amid the risk of virus infection, thousands of people have already left the capital to celebrate Eid with their near and dear ones at their respective village homes.

Television channels and radio stations will telecast special programmes on the occasion of Eid.