Qurbani is an important religious practice for Muslims to demonstrate their devotion to Allah. In Islam, Qurbani means sacrificing something special, that is approved by religious laws, in Allah’s name for divine blessings.  Qurbani, also known as Eid-ul-Adha/ Eid-ul-Azha or the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’, honors the remarkable story of Prophet Ibrahim and his act of obedience to Allah, serving as a testament to faith and devotion in Islam. This holy occasion is celebrated annually by Muslims around the world, signifying unity, compassion, and willingness to make sacrifices for the sake of Allah. 9 Teachings of Qurbani in Eid-ul-Adha This auspicious occasion remembers the unwavering faith and obedience of Prophet Ibrahim to Allah’s command. At the heart of this festival lies the act of Qurbani, which teaches us valuable lessons about faith, devotion, and selflessness. Let’s explore the profound lessons of Qurbani in Eid-ul-Adha. Obedience to Allah The story of Prophet Ibrahim teaches us that it’s most important to do what Allah asks us to do without questioning it. We should trust that Allah knows what’s best for us and have faith in His plans, even when things are tough. Read more: Top 5 Eid-Ul-Azha, Animal Market Games for Android, iOS Sacrifice and Selflessness Qurbani teaches us about sacrifice and selflessness. It shows us that it’s important to let go of our own wants and think about what others need. During Eid-ul-Adha, we sacrifice an animal to understand the meaning of giving up something valuable for the benefit of others. During Qurban Eid, when Muslims sacrifice animals, their main goal is to cleanse their souls and get rid of negative feelings like greed, resentment, and hatred. It’s a way for them to purify themselves spiritually and focus on kindness, generosity, and love toward others. Gratitude and Thankfulness When we participate in Qurbani, we are reminded of the many blessings given to us by Allah. It encourages us to be thankful for the abundance He provides us with, and helps us realize the importance of appreciating the blessings we have in our lives. Compassion and Charity Qurbani is about being kind and helping people who are in need. It teaches us that it’s important to share the blessings in our lives with others and give to those who don’t have as much as we do.  Read more: 10 Most Hyped Bangladeshi Movies Releasing on Eid-ul-Azha 2023 When we show compassion, we can offer comfort and inspiration to people near us and even far away. We have the power to give useful advice and guidance to those who need it, using our understanding and kindness, to make them feel better. We can share our good luck and love not just with our family and friends but also with strangers and those who need our help.

The beginning of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, one of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar, has been announced by the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia. Eid-ul-Azha 2023 will be celebrated on June 28 in the kingdom with the crescent’s sighting, according to an Al Arabiya report. The Hajj pilgrimage, one of Islam’s “Five Pillars”, is performed in Makkah during Dhul Hijjah, the 12th and last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. During this time, Muslims from all over the world congregate there. Read: Astronomers reveal expected date of Eid-ul-Azha 2023 The ninth day of Dhul Hijjah is known as the Day of Arafat. Millions of pilgrims from around the world congregate on this day in an act of faith and devotion on the plain of Arafat, close to Makkah. Muslims all over the world will commemorate Eid-ul-Azha, popularly known as the “Festival of Sacrifice,” after the Day of Arafat. This significant Islamic holiday honours Prophet Ibrahim’s readiness to offer his son as a sacrifice to Allah. But before he could offer his son, Allah gave him a lamb, which he was to sacrifice in place of his son. Muslims recall this miraculous intervention each year. Read: 90 lakh Eid holidaymakers to leave Dhaka by road: SCRF Muslims sacrifice an animal, usually a lamb or a cow, in accordance with ritual on Eid-ul-Azha to commemorate this occasion. Following that, the meat is divided into three portions: one for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for the underprivileged. This act of giving emphasises the importance of the community, empathy, and charity that are fundamental to both the holiday and the Islamic faith.

This year (2023), the minimum Fitra has been fixed at Tk 115 per person while the maximum is Tk 2,640. Fitra is an obligatory charity distributed to the poor at the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Read more: Minimum Fitra fixed at Tk 75 per person The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Fitra Fixing Committee held on Sunday (April 02, 2023), chaired by the committee's head and Baitul Mukarram National Mosque’s Khatib Hafez Maulana Mufti Mohammad Ruhul Amin. The rate of Fitra is fixed on the basis of market prices of flour, dates, cheese, raisins and some other essentials. Fitra is paid to the poor before the jamaat (congregation) of Eid-ul-Fitr. Read More: Pakistani police arrest 8 after deadly Ramadan food stampede

In today's digital age, technology plays a significant role in our lives, including the way we educate and entertain our children. Muslim parents who want to raise their kids with a strong Islamic foundation can utilize digital resources like apps and websites. Diverse Islamic apps for kids are great ways to introduce youngsters to Islamic teachings through fun and interactive methods. These apps can teach children about Islamic principles, practices, and beliefs while engaging them with games, quizzes, and stories. 10 Best Islamic Apps for Muslim Children Muslim Kids TV Muslim Kids TV is an Islamic app with a rating of 4.1/5 on Android. Milo Productions Inc. developed it, and the app was first released on 28th March 2017. It is available both on PlayStore and AppStore. The app has a download size of 49 MB and offers Islamic videos, songs, stories, and games for children. The app covers various Islamic topics and morals, including stories of the prophets, the importance of prayer, and Islamic manners. Muslim Kids TV is user-friendly and interactive, making it a great tool for parents to use in teaching their children about Islam. The app is free to download, but it has different in-app purchases. Read More: 10 Best Free Android Apps to Learn English Vocabulary Step by Step Salah The Step by Step Salah app by Quran Reading is a highly-rated Islamic app available on PlayStore and AppStore. It first came out on 30th November 2013. With a size of 37MB, it offers an easy-to-understand guide for kids to learn how to perform Salah or prayer in the correct manner. Prayer is an important pillar of Islam. This app provides a reliable way to teach children the correct way to offer Salah. The app includes step-by-step instructions, from performing Wadu to Sajjud, with the meaning and significance of each step. The recitation of each prayer is recited slowly and with animations, the app shows the posture one must assume at every step of Salah. It has a 4.3 rating on PlayStore. Noorani Qaida with Audio Noorani Qaida with Audio is an Islamic app with a rating of 4.8/5 on Android. It is developed by App Anchor and has a download size of 29 MB. It was released on 7th December 2019. The app is designed to help children learn the Quran, similar to the way it was taught in mosques and homes during our childhood. Read More: 7 Food Delivery Apps for Dhaka One of the major reasons for its popularity among the Muslim community is its user-friendliness, which makes it easy for children to use. The app keeps children engaged with its appealing layout and design. By tapping on the word, children can learn how to pronounce the Arabic word. The app's alphabet button enables children to repeatedly hear the pronunciation, which aids in faster learning. Daily Duas for Kids The Daily Duas for Kids app is an Islamic app that aims to teach children about daily duas. Developed by OSRATOUNA LTD, the app was released on 12th May 2016. It has a 4.7 rating and is available on Android and iPhone. The app features a variety of everyday duas for children, such as those for waking up, sleeping, and traveling. It also includes cute characters that make learning Arabic supplications fun for kids. Many Muslim parents worldwide appreciate this app for helping their children learn more about Islam and its practices. With an easy-to-use interface and engaging design, Daily Duas for Kids is an excellent tool for parents looking to teach their kids about the importance of daily duas. Read More: Best Quran Apps for Android: Read the Holy Book Online Madani Qaidah According to proponents of the Islamic faith, learning the proper recitation of the Holy Quran is a crucial component of religious study. To that end, a new application has been developed that allows users to learn the Quran in two different languages. The Qaida app, developed by the IT Department of Dawate Islam, offers lessons on Tajweed, which is the art of pronouncing each letter of the Quran according to its Makhraj. The app features 22 interactive lessons and claims to teach Tajweed in a manner similar to a teacher. It also includes Haroof e Tahajji, a tool designed to help users improve their Quran pronunciation. With a 4.9 rating and a size of 111 mb, the Qaida app is positioning itself as the go-to resource for those seeking to improve their Quranic recitation skills. It was first released on 23rd May 2015 and is currently available on Android and iOS phones. Read More: Free English-Speaking Mobile Apps for the Non-native Speakers

The Hajj and Umrah Ministry of Saudi Arabia has recommended pilgrims to perform Umrah just once during the holy month of Ramadan. To avoid crowding and guarantee that pilgrims have a simple and straightforward travel to the sites, the ministry recommended Muslims to undertake Umrah just once throughout the holy month, reports Al Arabiya. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Saudi officials were concerned about overcrowding at the holy sites because they wanted to make sure that travelers were safe at all times, it said. Read More: Saudi govt reduces Umrah insurance cost for foreign pilgrims by 63% The Nusuk app allows Muslims from all over the world to apply to participate in the pilgrimage and plan their whole trip there, including applying for a eVisa and arranging accommodations and flights, the report also said. Except for during Hajj, any period of the year is permissible for Muslims to go to Makkah to perform Umrah. Many people aspire to do Umrah during the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Read More: Route to Mecca: MoU signed to make Bangladeshi pilgrims' Saudi visits easier

The holy month of Ramadan starts with the appearance of the new moon and brings blessings to Muslims worldwide. Greeting each other with Ramadanul Mubarak or Ramadan Kareem, Muslims welcome this month. Fasting begins with Sahur and ends with Iftar. As devoted Muslims fast for 29-30 days continuously, they need to take some preparations for Ramadan. Let’s find out some tips to prepare for Ramadan.  Ramadan's Meaning and significance Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is very promising and holy. The holy Quran is the supreme religious scripture for Muslims in Islam. Muslims believe this holy book is a revelation from Allah (God). According to the holy Quran, Fasting (Roza) during Ramadan is mandatory for each adult and healthy Muslim. According to Islam, fasting or Roza is the practice of abstaining from all kinds of foods, drinks, smoking, and sexual activity for some period. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims observe fasting or Roza every day from dawn (before the Fazr prayer) to the Maghrib prayer time. And, the Muslim devotees will be rewarded by almighty Allah for enduring the pain of thirst and hunger during fasting. Read More: Ready for Ramadan? How to Prepare Your Body for Fasting? In Ramadan, besides fasting, Muslims offer prayers to Allah in Salat, read passages from the holy Quran, donate to charity, and maintain a good lifestyle.  10 Useful Tips to Prepare For Holy Ramadan  Finish All Pending Fasts If anyone has any pending fast which was missed in the previous Ramadan, she or he needs to complete that first. When someone is unable to complete the pending fastings due to some reasons like pregnancy, travel, sickness, etc., then it is imperative for that person to pay Fidyah as compensation for not fasting. Fidya or Fidyah system is a kind of donation that must be paid through feeding the poor for not making up fasts missed in the last Ramadan on time.  Create a Ramadan To-Do List As preparation for Ramadan, an individual can write down everything he or she needs to do for his or her own self or own family. The list can also include things he or she wishes to do for needy people. The checklist may include plans for donation, shopping, food processing, cleaning, etc. Read More: Ramadan 2023: Govt sets office timing from 9 am to 3:30 pm Processing of Raw Food Ingredients During cooking diverse kinds of ingredients are applied like onion paste, ginger paste, chili paste, etc. These raw ingredients can be preserved in the freezer for months. Preparations of these raw ingredients at home need time and effort. Making this preparation in advance can save an individual valuable time and energy during fasting hours.  Maintain Nutritious Diet During the holy month of Ramadan, devoted Muslims fast (Roza) from dawn to dusk. Fasting throughout the whole of Ramadan is a challenge for both mind and body. It is essential to maintain a well-balanced diet before and during Ramadan. Maintaining a balanced diet can help to keep blood sugar normal and supply energy. Consulting with a doctor or nutritionist, whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, milk, yogurt, eggs, nuts, etc should be added to the regular diet to prepare the body for Ramadan fasting. Read More: Lessons of Ramadan: What does the holy month teach us? Donate Clothes and Goods Ramadan is the month when many devoted Muslims do charity which is a great way to help others. It would be nice to arrange clothes and other items for donation and start the holy month with a little act of kindness.

The United Nations on Friday commemorated the first International Day to Combat Islamophobia with a special event in the General Assembly Hall, where speakers upheld the need for concrete action in the face of rising hatred, discrimination and violence against Muslims. The observation followed the unanimous adoption of an Assembly resolution last year that proclaimed March 15 as the international day, calling for global dialogue that promotes tolerance, peace and respect for human rights and religious diversity. As the UN secretary-general said the nearly two billion Muslims worldwide – who come from all corners of the planet – "reflect humanity in all its magnificent diversity. Yet, they often face bigotry and prejudice simply because of their faith." Also, Muslim women can also suffer "triple discrimination" because of their gender, ethnicity, and faith. The high-level event was co-convened by Pakistan, whose Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari underlined that Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance and pluralism. Although Islamophobia is not new, he said it is "a sad reality of our times" that is only increasing and spreading. "Since the tragedy of 9/11, animosity and institutional suspicion of Muslims and Islam across the world have only escalated to epidemic proportions. A narrative has been developed and peddled which associates Muslim communities and their religion with violence and danger," said Zardari, also chair of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Council of Foreign Ministers. "This Islamophobic narrative is not just confined to extremist, marginal propaganda, but regrettably has found acceptance by sections of mainstream media, academia, policymakers and state machinery." UN General Assembly President Csaba Kőrösi said Islamophobia is rooted in xenophobia, or the fear of strangers, which is reflected in discriminatory practices, travel bans, hate speech, bullying and targeting of other people. He urged countries to uphold freedom of religion or belief, which is guaranteed under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. "All of us carry a responsibility to challenge Islamophobia or any similar phenomenon, to call out injustice and condemn discrimination based on religion or belief – or the lack of them," he added. Read more: Top UN woman urges Muslims: Move Taliban into 21st century Kőrösi said education is key to learning why these phobias exist, and it can be "transformative" in changing how people understand each another. The growing hate that Muslims face is not an isolated development, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said. "It is an inexorable part of the resurgence of ethno-nationalism, neo-Nazi white supremacist ideologies, and violence targeting vulnerable populations, including Muslims, Jews, some minority Christian communities and others," he added. "Discrimination diminishes us all. And it is incumbent on all of us to stand up against it. We must never be bystanders to bigotry.”" Stressing that"we must strengthen our defences," Guterres highlighted UN measures such as a Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites. He also called for ramping up political, cultural, and economic investments in social cohesion. Read more: No militant act undercover of Islam: PM "And we must confront bigotry wherever and whenever it rears its ugly head. This includes working to tackle the hate that spreads like wildfire across the internet." he added.    

The second phase of the three-day Biswa Ijtema, billed as the second largest congregation of Muslims after Hajj, began on the banks of the River Turag in Tongi Friday. This phase of the 56th edition of the Biswa Ijtema (World Congregation) started with the "a'm bayan" (general sermons) after Fajr prayers with the participation of a large number of devotees, including the followers of Indian preacher Maulana Muhammad Saad Al Kandhalvi. Read more: 2nd phase Bishwa Ijtema: Metro rail to operate from 8am-5pm on Jan 22 However, Maulana Saad is not attending this year's Ijtema. The sermons were delivered by Pakistani Islamic scholar Maulana Mohammad Osman and were translated into Bangla by Maulana Zia bin Qasim. Thousands of devotees from home and abroad thronged the banks of the Turag River to listen to scholars reciting and explaining verses from the Quran and to renew their commitment to Islamic values. In the afternoon, they offered Jumma prayers, led by Maulana Saad's son Yusuf bin Saad Kandhalvi, at the Ijtema ground. "Additional police personnel have been deployed in and around the Ijtema venue to ensure the security of the devotees. The venue has been brought under closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera surveillance," Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) Commissioner Molla Nazrul Islam said. Health camps were set up for the devotees to provide them with treatment like the previous years. Read more: First phase of Bishwa Ijtema ends today with ‘Akheri Munajat’ However, a 75-year-old devotee from Barguna, Mofizul Islam, died at the Ijtema venue early Friday due to complications of old age. The three-day Biswa Ijtema will end on January 22 with Akheri Munajat (final prayers). Meanwhile, the metro rail service will run from 8am to 5pm on January 22 for the smooth movement of the devotees attending the second phase of the congregation. The first phase of the three-day Biswa Ijtema ended on January 15 with Akheri Munajat. Tabligh Jamaat has been organising the congregation in Tongi since 1967. In 2011, it divided Ijtema into two phases to accommodate a large number of attendees.

The second phase of three-day Biswa Ijtema, billed as the second largest congregation of Muslims after hajj, begins on the banks of the Turag River at Tongi on Friday. This phase of 56th edition of the Biswa Ijtema will begin through "a'm bayan" (general sermons) after Fazr prayers with the participation of a large number of devotees including the followers of Indian Islamic preacher Maulana Muhammad Saad Al Kandhalvi. Read more: 2nd phase Bishwa Ijtema: Metro rail to operate from 8am-5pm on Jan 22 Several thousand devotees are expected to offer Jum'a prayers, led by Maulana Saad’s son Yusuf bin Kandalvi, on the first day of the second phase Ijtema. Thousands of devotees from home and abroad have started thronging the banks of the Turag River to take part in the religious event to seek divine blessings of the Almighty Allah. State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan inaugurated the Free Medical Camp of Hamdard Laboratories (Waqf) Bangladesh this noon (Thursday) to provide health services for the devotees. Additional police will be deployed in and around the Ijtema venue to ensure security of the devotees. The venue has been brought under CCTV surveillance, said Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) Commissioner Molla Nazrul Islam. The three-day Biswa Ijtema will end on January 22 with Akheri Munajat (final prayers). Read more: First phase of Bishwa Ijtema ends today with ‘Akheri Munajat’ Meanwhile, metro rail in Dhaka will be operated from 8am to 5pm on January 22 for the smooth movement of the devotees attending the second phase of Bishwa Ijtema. The metro rail authority will extend their service hour to facilitate the devotees on the Akheri Munajat day, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) (Public Relations) Nazmul Islam Bhuiyan told UNB on Thursday. The first phase of three-day Biswa Ijtema ended on January 15 with the Akheri Munajat. Tabligh Jamaat has been organising the congregation at the venue since 1967. In 2011, it divided Ijtema into two phases to accommodate a large number of attendees.

The Saudi government has announced that the cost of comprehensive Umrah insurance for foreign pilgrims has been reduced by 63 percent. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of KSA has cut the cost from SR 235 to SR 87 – with effect from January 10, reports Saudi Gazette. The insurance for Umrah is a unified policy that is covered by pilgrims from Muslim countries of the world, including Bangladesh. Read More: 7 million Umrah pilgrims facilitated in Saudi Arabia in 2022 It is included in the visa procedures and covers emergency cases such as treatment, admission, hospitalization, pregnancy, emergency childbirth, emergency dental cases, traffic accident injuries, dialysis cases, and internal and external medical evacuation. It also covers general cases such as accidental permanent total disability, cases of death and death due to natural disasters, returning the body of the deceased to his country, and blood money issued by a court ruling. It also includes covers for flight delay compensation and flight cancellation compensation, it said. The insurance coverage period is 90 days, starting from the day of entering Saudi Arabia, and the scope of its coverage is only within the kingdom. Read More: Umrah e-visa: Biometric data must for pilgrims from Bangladesh, 4 other countries Intending Umrah performers can visit the website of the Comprehensive Insurance Program for the Guests of Rahman to view the Umrah insurance policy, verify its validity, and know services providers.