Jumatul Wida, the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, will be observed across the country on Friday with due religious solemnity and reverence.                   Thousands of Muslim devotees will attend the Juma prayers at different mosques, seeking divine blessings for peace and progress of Bangladesh and unity of the Muslim Ummah.   The day's biggest congregation will be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the capital.   Khateebs and ulemas will deliver sermons, highlighting the significance of Jumatul Wida.   Muslim devotees will offer prayer at Baitul Mukarram today maintaining physical distance as per the government directives to stay safe from coronavirus infection.   Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 and the first death on March 18. As the number of cases increased, the government restricted offering prayers at mosques.   After about a month, the government lifted the restrictions on condition that safe distance and proper hygiene have to be maintained while offering prayers at mosques.

National Mosque Baitul Mukarram draws a huge crowd, particularly during Jum’a prayers, in normal time. But the onslaught of highly contagious coronavirus has changed everything – from our daily life to how people offer prayers.

It might be a prayer to the Almighty Allah for seeking his mercy to save the nation and world from this coronavirus pandemic.

The holy month of Ramadan is underway, and the Central Jamia Mosque Ghamkol Sharif in Birmingham should be full of worshippers. But this year, the main arrivals are the dead.