Muslims in Bangladesh will start observing the holy month of Ramadan, the lunar month of self-purification through fasting and abstinence, from tomorrow, Wednesday. The moon was sighted on Tuesday. Lailatul Qadr, the night of divine blessing and benediction, will be observed on the night of May 9. The National Moon Sighting Committee took the decision at a meeting held at Islamic Foundation's Baitul Mukarram office. Also read: 'No iftar gatherings, sehri in mosques during Ramadan' Muslims are meant to fast from dawn to dusk during the lunar month, a time of restraint and austerity. This year, maximum 20 people, including two imams, can attend Tarabi prayers in mosques. The step was taken to prevent the transmission of coronavirus. Besides, no public gathering for iftar will be allowed. Also read: Govt reschedules office timing for Ramadan On April 6, the Religious Affairs Ministry asked people to offer Zohr prayers at home instead of Jum’a on Friday considering the current situation of coronavirus. This year, devotees have been directed not to arrange iftar gatherings and sehri in mosques during Ramadan to contain the recent surge in Covid-19 infections. The Religious Affairs Ministry on April 5 issued new directives in this connection. The government has rearranged the office timing for Ramadan from 9am to 3:30pm for all government, semi-government, autonomous and semi-autonomous institutions. Also read: Soaring veggie prices sour festive spirit for city residents Meanwhile, residents of as many as 13 villages in Faridpur began the fasting month on Tuesday, in accordance with Saudi Arabia. The residents of the villages under Shekhar and Rupapat unions in Boalmari upazilas began their dawn-to-sunset fast after having ‘Sehri’ in the early hours, said Mohammad Israfil Molla, chairman of Shekhar Union.

The Islamic Foundation on Wednesday said offering Tarabi following prayers broadcast live on TV would not be acceptable during Ramadan from the religious point of view.

Maximum 12 people, including two imams, can attend Tarabi prayers in mosques each during the holy month of Ramadan.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged Muslim devotees to say their Tarabi prayers at their respective homes instead of mosques during the upcoming month of holy Ramadan.