Holy Eid-ul Fitr today

Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of Muslims, is being celebrated today amid religious fervor and enthusiasm after a month of fasting.

As the Shawwal moon was not sighted in Bangladesh on Wednesday evening, the Eid festival is being celebrated on Friday.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee with state minister for Religious Affairs Faridul Haque Khan in the chair on Wednesday evening after reviewing the information of Shawwal moon sighting.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted the nation in separate messages on the occasion of holy Eid-ul-Fitr, as per a BSS report.

Besides, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the nation at 7:15pm on Thursday.

This year, Eid is being 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 people to avoid Eidgah or other open places for Eid congregations and offer prayers at local mosques maintaining health guidelines.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs issued an emergency circular recently saying, “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.”

It also suggested disinfecting mosques before Eid prayers and advised against rolling out carpets on the floors.

The devotees are urged to bring prayer mats from home. Other than that, arrangements should be made at 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 there.

Children, elderly people, people with physical ailments, and those taking care of the sick are not allowed to attend jamaats.

Apart from these, the devotees are requested to avoid shaking hands and the customary hugging after the prayers.

With the risk of virus infections, thousands of people have already left the capital to celebrate Eid with their near and dear ones at their native homes.

In the capital, the main Eid congregation will be held at the Baitul Mukarrom National Mosque. Five congregations will take place there, said Islamic Foundation.

The main city streets and road islands are decorated with the national flag and banners inscribed with ‘Eid Mubarak’ in both Bangla and Arabic.

Television channels and radio stations will telecast special programmes.