At least 15 individuals, including three police personnel, sustained injuries during a violent clash that erupted over "rules and regulations" of prayers in Ashuganj upazila of Brahmanbaria on Friday night. The confrontation between members of the Charchhartala Mollah Bari and Kichhki Bari groups was sparked by a disagreement following the Taraweeh prayers, a key observance during the holy month of Ramadan.  A video capturing the tense moments went viral on social media the following day. Shab-e-Qadr: Night of divine blessings being observed nationwide At the heart of the conflict was a dispute initiated by Shafiqul Islam of Kichhki Bari, who raised questions regarding the prayer leadership of Mawlana Mohiuddin Mollah, the Imam of Charchhartala Jame Masjid. This dispute quickly escalated into violence, with participants wielding improvised weapons, according to police and eyewitness accounts. Imam Mohiuddin accused Shafiqul of issuing a “fatwa”, criticising the fidelity of the mosque's prayer practices, which he alleges directly led to the violent outbreak. He claimed that the assault by the Kichhki Bari faction left five individuals in critical condition. Shafiqul Islam, however, countered these allegations, arguing that his intentions were to offer constructive suggestions to Imam Mohiuddin following the conclusion of the Taraweeh prayers. He contended that it was the Imam and his followers who initiated the violence, resulting in injuries to eight people and the targeted destruction of property, including the vandalism of three vehicles. Chuadanga scorches: Highest temperature in the country this year at 41.2°C In response to the escalating violence, Ashuganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nahid Ahmed reported that law enforcement officers were compelled to discharge 35 rounds of rubber bullets to quell the disturbances. The clashes also resulted in injuries to three policemen.  Authorities have since increased police presence in the area to prevent further incidents and have initiated legal proceedings in response to the conflict.

As the month of Ramadan started, the bustling streets of Old Dhaka came alive with the aroma of spices and the sizzle of frying pans. The Iftar bazars in this ancient section of the capital are a battleground for traditional dishes vying to be crowned the ultimate feast to break one's fast. Amongst the labyrinthine lanes of Chawkbazar, Islampur, Bangla Bazar, and the roadside tong shops, vendors engage in a spirited rivalry to tantalize the taste buds of the devout. Chawkbazar stands as a bastion of tradition in the realm of Iftar markets, offering a cornucopia of culinary delights. Here, amidst the throng of eager patrons, one can find an array of Iftar staples: chickpeas, piaju, puri, chop, and juice, alongside a plethora of innovative creations. The alleys of Islampur and Bangla Bazar also boast diverse assortments of Iftar treats, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of the region. Central to the charm of Chawkbazar is the legendary 'Boro Baper Polay Khay' Iftar, a concoction steeped in tradition and flavor. Comprising an eclectic mix of 15 ingredients, including chicken, minced meat, cotton kebab, and an assortment of spices, it embodies the essence of Old Dhaka's culinary heritage. Priced between Tk 800 to Tk 1200 per kilogram, it stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of tradition. With two more demises today, death toll from Gazipur gas cylinder blast rises to 5 However, a newcomer to the scene, 'Shob Baper Polay Khay,' poses a formidable challenge to the reigning champion. Vendors tout its credentials, proclaiming, "This is the traditional food of Dhaka, the best of Chawkbazar." They claim that their food has a 78-year-old tradition. Kebabs reign supreme in this gastronomic arena, with vendors proudly presenting an assortment of tantalizing options. From Tengri Kebab to Suti Kebab, Sheek Kebab, and Kathi Kebab, the choices are as diverse as they are delectable. Whole chicken roasts, quail roasts, and succulent leg of goat roasts vie for attention alongside savory beef haleem and fragrant biryanis. Vegetarian offerings such as vegetable naan, milk naan, and keema paratha cater to diverse palates, while vendors employ persuasive advertising tactics to attract discerning buyers.

During the holy month of Ramadan, after a long day of fasting, the tradition of breaking fast, or Iftar, often involves enjoying refreshing beverages. Among these, instant powdered fruit drinks are a popular choice due to their refreshing flavours and instant preparation. However, commercially produced powdered drinks can contain artificial additives and excessive sugar, which may not align with dietary preferences or health goals. Thankfully, making homemade powdered fruit drinks provides a healthier alternative, offering control over ingredients and customisation of flavours. Why Avoid Commercially Produced Instant Powdered Fruit Drinks? Commercially produced powdered fruit drinks often contain artificial colours, flavours, preservatives, and high amounts of sugar. Consuming such additives regularly may lead to adverse health effects, including increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.  Additionally, individuals with dietary restrictions or preferences may find it challenging to locate suitable options among commercially available powdered drink varieties. Homemade powdered fruit drinks allow for the exclusion of unwanted additives and customisation according to personal taste and nutritional requirements. Read more: Reasons Why Ramadan Fasting is More Beneficial Than Dieting How to Make Instant Powdered Fruit Drinks at Home Mango Powder Ingredients 1 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons of glucose powder, 1 teaspoon mango emulsion, 1 teaspoon citric acid, and ¼ teaspoon salt Instructions First, in a mixer jar, pour sugar and add 2 tablespoons of glucose powder, mango emulsion, a quarter teaspoon of salt, and half a teaspoon of citric acid. Grind the ingredients together until they achieve a fine powder consistency. Your homemade mango mix is now ready.  Transfer it into an airtight jar for storage. To serve, simply mix one tablespoon of the mango powder with 200 ml of water, add some ice cubes, stir well, and enjoy the refreshing taste. Read more: Iftar Items, Recipes for Ramadan in Bangladesh Orange Powder Ingredients 1.5 cups sugar, 1 cup orange glucose, 1 teaspoon citric acid, a pinch of salt, 4-5 drops of orange fruit colour, and ½ teaspoon orange essence.

The runaway price hike during this year’s Ramadan is proving particularly difficult for the middle to lower-middle class households in urban areas, for whom a Tk10-15,000 spike in the monthly spend is a big ask. These are the families that despite living in or near areas where supershops are proliferating, still prefer to buy from the local kaachabazars (kitchen markets). And the principal breadwinner, usually the father, often prefers to visit the bazar and make the purchases himself.  One of them, Kazi Shariful Haque, a job holder at a private local company, told UNB that in any case one has to spend more on food during Ramadan, despite it being the month for restraint, on the food that is consumed during Iftar and Sehri. Consumption of some items like fruits, beef, and mutton, does come down, he conceded. UNB spoke to Shariful at Kawranbazar, the principal kitchen market in the capital, which he visited just prior to the weekend with a shopping list that contained fruits, vegetables, fish, and chicken, among other things. He shared that in his experience, most items’ prices jumped by Tk10-30 per kg. Fish prices jumped by Tk100 to 150 per kg, chicken jumped by Tk15 to 20 per kg, while chick-pea, lentil, onion, and garlic ginger are among the items that saw prices jump by Tk10 to 30 per kg, since the start of Ramadan. Ramadan: Holiest cities Makkah, Madinah flooded with Umrah visitors Dates are not available at price set by the government, he said, while apples, malta, and some other fruits are selling at Tk300 to 350 per kg - an increase in the price by Tk 50 per kg. Medium-quality dates are selling at Tk800-1000 per kg, he pointed out.  However, Shariful has found that the prices of rice and edible oil are stable for now, but of course household expenses are not limited to the spending at the bazaar only. In almost every sphere, including medicines (health), water rates, gas rates, electricity, house rent, people are having to spend more and more. Bills and prices are squeezing the middle class in cities, especially at the lower end like Shariful, who last received a raise at his company two years ago, and in these two years, inflation has been spiking in the country. Even the company he worked for suffered losses in business in these two years, and it made him perceive a period of gloom for the economy.   Still, it makes him yearn for when the times were good for these very same people, as recently as 2-3 years ago. “In 2021, I could maintain my four-member family in Farmgate, Dhaka along with spending for parents living in the village and even then save a small amount every month. And now I have to maintain family expenditure by drawing on my previous savings,” Shariful voiced his frustration in an annoyed voice. Shariful’s is the common refrain among most shoppers at the city’s kitchen markets these days.  They make up Bangladesh’s ‘squeezed middle’, a term coined by the former leader of the opposition in the UK parliament, Ed Miliband of Labour, in the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2009.  As Ramadan is about to begin, prices of essentials high in Khulna kitchen markets The Oxford English Dictionary, while choosing it as their ‘Word of the Year’ in 2011, defined it as “the section of society regarded as particularly affected by inflation, wage freezes, and cuts in public spending during a time of economic difficulty, consisting principally of those people on low or middle incomes.” All these conditions are met by the likes of Shariful, and others in his bracket. Dr Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) told UNB that inflation and randomly fluctuating exchange rates (affecting the price of imported products) have increased the cost of living in the urban areas, as the urban people are depending on supply chains.. In the rural areas, 60 to 70 percent of items consumed by a family are produced on their own land - which is emphatically not the case in the cities. Most of the middle class is even living on rented property. As a result, the price hikes tend to affect urban life more severely, she said. Read more: Industries Minister announces special drive to control standard, prices of goods during Ramadan Dr Fahmida said it was not only the prices of consumer goods - health-related expenditure and utility prices have also increased, confirming the observation by Shariful, and others, that UNB spoke to in Kawranbazar. “Household incomes, mainly salaries, did not increase in the post-Covid period, after having gone down during Covid itself (2020-2022),” Dr Fahmida said. “As a result, jobholders are really bearing the brunt of the price hikes.” Average wage growth remained well below the inflation rate in Bangladesh for the 22nd month straight in November 2023, as per the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), corresponding to the timeline she provided.  Ghulam Rahman, president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), said that the prices of all types of products have increased, whether those items are imported or produced in the country. Although the incomes of jobholders did not increase, their expenses have increased alongside that of others, but this has proven a particular burden for the fixed income groups, he said. He said If prices were hiked “logically and systematically”- presumably meaning adhering to market fundamentals - then this burden would remain manageable. But when it happens arbitrarily, indicating how it happens in Bangladesh, it becomes very hard for the people, said the CAB president.  He advised authorities to pay more attention to whether this is happening, as there are several instances of price gouging, hoarding, etc in the country, and there are laws against these.  Wherever irregularities are found, the perpetrators should be brought under the law, to bring stability to the market, the CAB president urged.  Read more: Commerce ministry fixes prices for dates

Muslim devotees from across the world are coming into Saudi Arabia in large numbers taking advantage of the holy month of Ramadan contributing to huge crowd at the two holiest cities- Makkah and Madinah. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is witnessing a growing number of Umrah pilgrims from countries around the world, including from Bangladesh, since the beginning of Ramadan. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, offers the best weather, and this holy month, dedicated to prayer, self-reflection, and religious devotion, also traditionally marks the peak season to perform Umrah. Though Makkah is well-known for its excessive hot days, surprisingly, this March offers a pleasant weather. Thousands of Muslim devotees offered their Jummah prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah on Friday (March 15), the first Jummah of Ramadan. All the floors of the Grand Mosque and its adjacent courtyards were full of devotees, and the rows of devotees spilled over to the streets of the Central Haram area. Many of the Muslims offered Jummah from their respective hotels, which are connected with the Grand Mosque through audio transmission. Meanwhile, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman approved hosting 1,000 Umrah pilgrims from countries around the world during the year 2024. The guests representing the fourth and final batch of 2024, which includes 250 prominent Islamic Umrah pilgrims, male and female, representing 16 countries from the continents of Europe and Asia, are visitng the kingdom to perform Umrah. Read more: Saudi Arabia offers Nusuk platform for Bangladeshi visitors to increase accessibility and simplify Umrah Journey Islamic scholars, journalists, students, and influencers like the founder and CEO of 10 Minute School, Ayman Sadiq; and author, speaker, English teacher Munzereen Shahid are among the Bangladesh delegation members. "To be honest, I feel so lucky. I knew about the stories of these historical places. Now I had the opportunity to see in my own eyes," said Munzereen Shahid. She said there is no language barrier or cultural divide here. "I see an extraordinary unity among people. I have a desire to come again," said Munzereen who performed her first Umrah together with her husband Ayman Sadiq. "Had the honor of visiting the King Fahd Quran Printing Complex in Madinah, where millions of copies of the Holy Quran are printed every year. Madinah is peaceful," Ayman shared his experience of visiting the historic place in Madinah before performing Umrah. Talking to UNB, Musa Takai from New Zealand said, "It is quite unimaginable. I am grateful to Almighty Allah first and then to the Royal family for giving us this opportunity to perform Umrah." ​Musa expressed his sincere thanks and great appreciation to the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques and the crown prince for graciously hosting him to perform Umrah. He added that the kingdom always provides care and attention to the guests of Allah providing integrated services and stressed that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Umrah and Visitation Program is a wonderful model.

The Appellate Division on Tuesday (March 12, 2024) stayed the High Court order on keeping the primary and secondary schools closed during the month of Ramadan. A 5-member Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan  passed the order hearing an appeal filed against the High Court order. Attorney General AM Amin Uddin stood for the state while Advocate AKM Faiz stood for the writ petitioner. Attorney General AM Amin Uddin told reporters that following the Appellate Division order there will be no bar on running schools during Ramadan. Primary, secondary schools to remain closed during Ramadan: HC On March 10, the HC stayed for two months the government’s decision to keep the primary and secondary schools open in the first 10 and 15 days of Ramadan respectively. The HC bench of Justice KM Kamrul Kader and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the order following a petition seeking closure of school activities during Ramadan. Advocate Mahmuda Khanam stood for the writ petitioner while deputy attorney general Sheikh Md Saifuzzaman represented the state. On February 8, the government amended the holiday list for educational institutions keeping the regular activities of secondary schools open for 15 days during the month of Ramadan. The Education Ministry issued a notice in this regard. In another notice, the Primary and Mass Education Ministry issued a notice to keep the activities of primary schools during the month of Ramadan for ten days. Female student assaulted at JnU dormitory, journalist threatened Advocate Md Ilias Ali Mandal, a guardian, filed a writ petition on February 25, challenging the two orders of the government. Secretaries to the Primary and Mass Education Ministry, Education Ministry, deputy secretary of Primary and Mass Education Ministry and deputy secretary of Education Ministry, Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education Department, Director of Child Welfare Trust were made respondents.

Fasting for the entire month during the holy month of Ramadan is essentially a hallmark of the Muslim lifestyle. A systematic plan of action is necessary to maintain health while carrying out different religious activities like fasting, prayers, recitation of holy Quran etc effectively. Nowadays, various Ramadan apps can help to track religious activities. Let's delve into the top 10 free mobile apps for Ramadan available on both Android and iOS platforms. 10 Useful Ramadan Related Apps for Free Downloads on Smartphones  Al Quran (Tafsir and By Word) Developed by Greentech Apps Foundation on August 26, 2016, this app serves as a dedicated platform for studying and memorizing the Quran. It includes translations of every word in more than 35 languages, including Bengali, and offers access to over 70 tafsir. Users can listen to Quran recitations by more than 30 renowned reciters. This app provides statistics on previously completed verses during each recitation. Its self-contained library is made accessible through the verse bookmark feature. All these features are available without any cost and free from all sorts of in-app advertising. The current version is 1.26.1, last updated on February 22, 2024. It requires a smartphone OS (operating system) of at least Android 5 to run, and the Android app size is 21 MB. It has been downloaded over 5 million times and holds an average rating of 4.8 stars from 28,400 reviewers. The iOS version is 26.2 MB in size and has hit a pristine 4.9 stars after 348 reviews. It is compatible with iOS 14.2 or later versions. Read more: Best Quran Apps for Android: Read the Holy Book Online Tarteel: Quran Memorization When it comes to reciting the Quran directly from a mobile screen, Tarteel is the best. It utilizes AI to track the reciter's voice, displaying the corresponding verse on the screen with each recitation. It is free to use and does not contain any ads. However, there is a premium version, which offers various advanced features such as error correction in reciting. Released on January 31, 2016, Tarteel is crafted by Tarteel Inc. The mobile app requires 108 to 120 MB of storage, depending on different Android phones, and the OS must be Android 5 or higher. The latest version is 5.38.1, updated on March 6, 2024. With over 1 million downloads, it has been rated 4.7 stars with 38,000 reviews contributing. The iOS version’s size registers at 198.7 MB and requires at least iOS 13.4 to run. It has reached a 4.7-star rating from more than 2,500 reviewers. Read more: Free English-Speaking Mobile Apps for the Non-native Speakers Quran Majeed – Ramadan 2024 The most appealing aspect of this app, developed by Pakdata, is its user-friendly interface. Users can freely repeat verses, pause, and adjust speed while reading or memorizing the Quran. Additionally, the app features a Qibla direction compass, live streaming from Makkah and Madinah, a Hijri calendar, and a Quranic engagement meter. Created on August 18, 2014, and last updated on March 8, 2024, the app's current version is 7.3.2, requiring Android 5 or higher to run. With a storage capacity ranging from 54 MB to 120 MB, it has been downloaded over 10 million times and holds a score of 4.7 stars from 793,000 reviews. The iOS version holds a score of 4.8 stars from over 200,000 ratings. It consumes 137.5 MB of space and is compatible with iOS 12 or later versions. Read more: 10 Best Audiobook Apps for Android, iOS

The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock will set up 30 sell points in Dhaka to sell milk, eggs, meat, and fish at affordable prices throughout the month of Ramadan. Under the programme, liquid milk will be sold at Tk 80 per litre, beef at Tk 600 per kg, mutton at Tk 900 per kg, dressed broiler at Tk 250 per kg, and eggs at Tk 9.17 per piece. Will enhance market surveillance from today: State Minister for Commerce Fisheries and Livestock Minister Md. Abdur Rahman said these at the conference room of the Department of Livestock Services on Sunday. The minister said the programme will be conducted from 25 places in the capital from the first to the 28th Ramadan. Besides, the products will be sold at five more points at several permanent markets in the city. The 25 sale centers are: Natun Bazar (Badda), Korail slum (Banani), Khamarbari (Farmgate), Azimpur Matrisadan (Azimpur), Gabtoli, Diabari (Uttara), Japan Garden City (Mohammadpur), Shatfoot Road (Mirpur), Khilgaon (south of the rail crossing), beside the Secretariat (Abdul Gani Road),  Segun Bagicha (kitchen market),  Arambagh (Motijheel), Rampura, Kalshi (Mirpur), Jatrabari (at the mouth of Maniknagar Goli),  Bosila (Mohammadpur),  Hazaribagh (Shikshan), Lukas (Nakhalpara), Arambagh (Motijheel), Kamrangirchar, Mirpur 10, Kalyanpur (Jhilpara), Tejgaon, Old Dhaka (Bangabazar), and Kakrail. The five selling points at permanent markets are Mirpur Shah Ali Bazar, Mohammadpur Krishi Market, Natun Bazar (100 feet), Kamala Bazar, and Kazi Alauddin Road (Anandbazar). Well-equipped pickup cool vans will be used to sell the products. The cooling vans will reach each sale center by 9 am with the products and selling will start from 10 am, the minister said. BGB-BSF border conference wraps up with pledge to bring down border killings to zero Additionally, the Department of Fisheries has taken initiatives to sell fish at four designated spots in Dhaka North City Corporation and four designated spots in Dhaka South City Corporation. The spots are Bangabandhu Square at Farmgate’s Khamarbari, Mirpur-1 (Eidgah Ground); Segun Bagicha Bazar; and Merul Badda Bazar under Dhaka North City Corporation; and Mughdapara (Madinabagh Bazar); Jatrabari (Dayal Bharosa Market); Motijheel (Southeast Corner of Bangladesh Bank) and Palashi intersection under Dhaka South City Corporation. The fish sale will continue from 10 am to 3 pm every day, starting from March 11, and will continue for 15 days, the minister said. Read more: As Ramadan is about to begin, prices of essentials high in Khulna kitchen markets

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has instructed not to organise large Iftar parties at the government-level during the upcoming Ramadan. She gave the instruction while chairing the Cabinet meeting at her office in the city. “There is an instruction from the Prime Minister and that is, no big iftar party can be arranged officially during the month of Ramadan,” said Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain. Read more: Govt sets Ramadan office timing from 9 am to 3:30 pm Replying to a question, he said the arrangement of large iftar parties at private level was also discouraged. “It has been said that if someone really wants, then the person should distribute foods among the poor people by purchasing the food with the money,” said the Cabinet Secretary. The holy month of Ramadan is scheduled to start from March 12 depending on sighting of the moon.  Read more: Ramadan prices of commodities will remain at tolerable level: PM Hasina tells Parliament