Eid-Ul-Fitr stands as a beacon of joy, marking the end of Ramadan with its festive spirit and the promise of cherished moments spent with family. As schools close and work pressures ease, families find themselves with a precious opportunity to reconnect, create, and celebrate together. This period of togetherness is not just about observing traditions, it's about making new memories that will be treasured for years to come. Below are ways to infuse creativity and joy into your family's Eid celebration, ensuring every moment is filled with warmth and delight. A guide to meaningful family bonding and fun during Eid-ul-Fitr Bonding over Eid delicacies: Inviting the whole family into the kitchen to prepare Eid specialties is a recipe for bonding. The act of cooking together, assigning tasks that suit each age group, and later savoring the dishes you've created side by side, turns meal preparation into a celebration of collective achievement and familial love. Festive home makeover with children:  Decorating your home for Eid with the help of your children not only beautifies your space but also kindles the creative spirit in your little ones. Encourage them to craft Eid-themed decorations, such as paper lanterns and homemade cards, transforming your home into a vibrant celebration of the festival's joy. Read more: Eid Shopping: Popular Bangladeshi Clothing Brands for Families Culinary adventures at children-friendly restaurants:  Eid is the perfect excuse to take a break from kitchen duties and indulge in the pleasure of dining out. Select restaurants that not only offer a diverse menu to cater to all tastes but also provide an engaging environment for children, such as play areas or interactive meal activities. This combination ensures a stress-free dining experience where the focus is on enjoying each other's company and making mealtime memorable. The beauty of henna: Gathering together for henna application is more than just a beauty ritual; it's a shared cultural experience that strengthens bonds. This tradition, rich in artistry and significance, becomes a cherished moment of connection and celebration among family members. Handcrafted Eid cards and gifts: Nurturing your children's creativity through the creation of handmade Eid cards and gifts for loved ones not only keeps them engaged but also teaches the value of thoughtful giving. This activity allows them to express their feelings through art, making the holiday more personal and meaningful. Read more: Sky-high Laughs with a Hint of Turbulence: 'Crew' starting Tabu, Kareena, Kriti Takes Off! The excitement of Eidi: The giving and receiving of Eidi encapsulate the essence of Eid's joy for children, offering a tangible connection to the festivities. This tradition not only brings smiles to their faces but also instills in them the values of generosity and gratitude. Picnicking under the open sky: Planning a family picnic combines the beauty of nature with the joy of togetherness. Selecting a picturesque spot where the kids can play and explore while the adults relax and chat is a simple yet profound way to celebrate Eid, surrounded by the beauty of the world. Rediscovering the joy of reading together:  Introducing children to the magic of stories is a gift that keeps on giving. Whether it's through the vibrant pages of picture books for the little ones or the compelling chapters of novels for the older kids, reading together opens up new worlds of imagination. A family trip to the library can become a treasure hunt, seeking out titles that will become the next bedtime favorites or spark lively discussions around the dinner table. Read more: Some Popular Bookstore and Reading Cafes in Dhaka

In Mymensingh city, this Ramadan marked the opening of a pioneering mosque dedicated to members of the hijra community. The "Third Gender Community and Dakshin Char Kalibari Ashrayan Mosque," situated on the picturesque banks of the Brahmaputra River, symbolizes a significant stride towards inclusivity in religious spaces. Spanning an area of 33 decimals, the mosque not only serves the spiritual needs of the local hijra population but has also welcomed Muslims from the broader community. The initiative, driven by the "Setu Bondhon Hijra Welfare Association," emerged in response to the discrimination and ridicule faced by hijra individuals in traditional mosques. The derogatory treatment led to a collective decision to establish a dedicated space for worship, supported by a generous land donation and funding facilitated by the Mymensingh Divisional Commissioner, Ommey Salma Tanzia. Read more: Empowering transgender and hijra communities a priority of the state: NBR chairman The mosque's construction on donated land in Badikandi village was strategically planned to coincide with Ramadan, fostering a sense of community and belonging among the worshippers. Featuring a modest single-story design with tin walls and a roof, the mosque includes a veranda, tube well, and toilets, ensuring basic amenities for its congregants. Additionally, the installation of three loudspeakers enables the regular call to prayer, further solidifying the mosque's role in the community's daily religious life. Akhi, a member of the local hijra community, highlighted the transformative impact of the mosque, mentioning, "Throughout our lives, we have heard stories that when hijras die, their bodies are dumped in the river. There was no burial ground. Now, alongside our mosque, there is also a cemetery." This statement underscores the profound significance of the mosque and adjoining cemetery as symbols of dignity and respect for the hijra community. Joyita Tanu Hijra, president of the hijra association, recounted the journey towards establishing the mosque, from facing mockery in local mosques to securing the necessary land and funds through the support of the Divisional Commissioner and generous donors. Read more: Sherpur Hijra community demands respectable jobs The appointment of Hafiz Maulana Karimul Islam as the imam signifies the mosque's commitment to providing spiritual guidance and support to all worshippers, including the hijra community. Abdul Motalib, president of the Mosque Management Committee, expressed the local community's support for the hijra community's endeavors, emphasizing the collaborative spirit in offering prayers and conducting religious activities. The Divisional Commissioner, Ommey Salma Tanzia, praised the initiative as commendable, highlighting the mosque's role in offering a safe and welcoming space for hijra individuals to practice their faith. Looking ahead, plans for expanding the mosque complex to include a madrasa, a primary school, and enhanced cemetery facilities are underway. This ambitious vision reflects a hopeful future for inclusivity and acceptance within religious spaces, not only in Bangladesh but potentially setting a precedent for the world. Read more: Enact law to protect rights of transgender, hijra community: Speakers

Hollywood icon Will Smith recently shared his profound appreciation for the Quran, describing the Muslim holy book as “crystal clear” and lauding its simplicity.  In a conversation reported by Al Arabiya, Smith recounted his experience of reading the Quran last Ramadan. “I loved the simplicity; the Quran is so clear; it is crystal clear. It is hard to walk away with misunderstanding,” Smith remarked.  He was moved by the spirit of the Quran, which he found to be “so beautiful and clear.” Read more: Reasons Why Ramadan Fasting is More Beneficial Than Dieting Delving deeper into his spiritual journey, Smith revealed that he has explored the holy texts of Judaism and Christianity as well. He expressed amazement at the deep connections between the Quran, Torah, and Bible.  “I was surprised how it is like one story, from the Torah through the Bible and into the Quran. I never totally understood Abraham as the father and then the split with Isaac and Ishmail and it was beautiful to get the completion of that comprehension,” he shared. Smith, who is currently visiting Saudi Arabia, also opened up about his affinity for the Middle Eastern country and its culture during a podcast with MBC.  With a touch of humor, Smith, who portrayed the Genie in the live-action movie "Aladdin," quipped: “I think I was a Genie in a past life. I am so at home; I love it here.”  Read more: 10 Best Free Apps for Ramadan on Android and iOS

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.

In pursuing a healthier lifestyle, the choice between Ramadan fasting and traditional dieting holds significance. Both practices impact health and eating habits, but which one emerges as the more beneficial option? Let's embark on a journey exploring the nuances of these two approaches and their impact on well-being. Benefits of Month-long Fasting during Ramadan . Holistic Detoxification Ramadan fasting goes beyond the typical notion of dieting for weight loss. It involves a unique detoxification process where the body undergoes a thorough internal cleansing. The fasting period allows organs to rest and rejuvenate which promotes optimal functioning and contributes to overall health. Mindful Eating and Discipline Unlike conventional dieting, which solely focuses on restricting calories, Ramadan fasting instils a sense of discipline and mindfulness in eating habits. The structured nature of fasting encourages individuals to be more aware of what and how much they consume. Thus, Ramadan fosters a healthier relationship with food in the long run. Read more: Healthy Sehri Meal Recipes for Ramadan Fasting Spiritual and Emotional Well-being Ramadan fasting is more than just a physical practice; it is deeply rooted in spirituality. The act of fasting is not only an exercise for the body but also for the mind and soul. This spiritual dimension contributes to emotional well-being and enhances a sense of inner peace, gratitude, and resilience. Community Support and Bonding One of the distinctive aspects of Ramadan fasting is its communal nature. Individuals come together to fast and create a supportive environment beyond personal discipline. This sense of community support and bonding provides emotional strength and motivation, elements often lacking in individualistic dieting journeys. Sustainable Lifestyle Changes Month-long fasting during the holy Ramadan encourages a holistic approach to health that extends beyond the month of fasting. The discipline and mindful eating habits cultivated during Ramadan can translate into sustainable lifestyle changes. This helps individuals maintain a balanced and health-conscious approach to nutrition throughout the year. Read more: Ramadan Fasting with Diabetes: Best foods for Sehri and Iftar Balanced Nutritional Intake While dieting may sometimes lead to nutrient imbalances or deficiencies, Ramadan fasting emphasises a balanced nutritional intake. The pre-dawn and post-sunset meals, suhoor and iftar, are carefully planned to include a variety of food groups which ensures that the body receives essential nutrients. Improved Digestion The intermittent fasting pattern during Ramadan allows the digestive system to rest and function more efficiently. This can lead to improved digestion, absorption of nutrients, and a reduction in digestive issues, contributing to better health. Controls Blood Sugar During Ramadan fasting, insulin sensitivity can improve, lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes. When cells become unresponsive to insulin, insulin resistance can develop – a precursor to diabetes. Fasting prompts the body to use stored glucose for energy, reduces glucose levels, and enhances insulin sensitivity.  Read more: Healthy Iftar Meal Recipes for Breaking Ramadan Fasting Promotes Weight Loss Fasting aids weight loss by regulating portion sizes and cutting calorie intake. However, it is crucial to avoid overeating after fasting periods to maintain progress. Sustaining healthy eating habits and exercise during non-fasting hours is vital for lasting weight loss. Ramadan fasting offers a chance to reset eating patterns and foster healthier food relationships.  Good for Cardiac Health Ramadan fasting positively affects heart health by decreasing blood pressure and cholesterol, reducing inflammation, and enhancing blood circulation. This minimises the risk of heart disease and stroke. Those with existing heart conditions should seek medical advice before fasting, ensuring it aligns with their health needs. Improves Brain Function Ramadan fasting boosts cognitive performance and brain function notably by elevating the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This protein fosters brain cell growth and survival, heightening memory, learning, and mental clarity.  Read more: Ramadan Fasting Benefits: Impacts on health when you fast for 16 hours Increases Growth Hormone Secretion During Ramadan fasting, the body's growth hormone secretion is naturally enhanced. Research indicates that fasting increases human growth hormone (HGH) levels. This hormonal surge supports metabolism, aids weight loss, and promotes muscle growth, contributing to health benefits during the fasting period.  Could Extend Longevity Examining periodic fasting's impact on the human gut, a study observed an increased diversity of beneficial gut bacteria, notably Christensenella species linked to longevity. Additionally, researchers identified heightened sirtuin levels, proteins crucial for metabolic regulation and longevity. Further research is essential to grasp fasting's longevity effects and identify optimal fasting protocols. Reducing Cancer Risk  The American Cancer Society Journal suggests intermittent fasting could aid cancer treatment and prevention by reducing tumour growth and chemotherapy toxicity in certain cases. However, they stress the necessity for more robust clinical trials and advise cancer patients to undertake intermittent fasting within clinical settings. Further research is imperative to comprehensively understand fasting's impact on cancer.  Read more: 10 Healthy Iftar Drinks for Breaking Ramadan Fasting

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 operating hours of metro rail will be extended by one hour in both directions during the last 15 days of the month of Ramadan, said MN Siddique, managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL). According to the new schedule, the last train from Motijheel will leave the station around 9:40 pm while it will from Uttara station at 9:20 pm, he said while speaking at a press conference at Iskatan. However, the schedule of the metro rail will remain unchanged in the first 15 days of the month of Ramadan. As Dhaka embraces Metro Rail efficiency, bus services on Mirpur-Motijheel route suffer a blow Meanwhile, commuters can carry 250ml of water bottles before and after Iftar on metro rail but in that case, the water bottle should be dumped into designated bins, he said. The Iftar timing will be screened at the LED screen inside and outside the train. Metro rail increases trips, commuters elated Responding to a question about any decision to increase coaches for women, the managing director of DMTCL, said currently, six coaches are running every day and it is difficult to add another coach for women.

The High Court on Sunday (March 10, 2024) 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. Milk, eggs, meat, and fish to be sold affordable prices at 30 points in capital Following the order, the academic activities of primary and secondary schools will remain closed during the month of Ramadan. 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. Advocate Md Ilias Ali Mandal, a guardian, filed a writ petition on February 25, challenging the two orders of the government. SCBA election: Khokon, Monjurul elected president, secretary 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. Ramadan is likely begin from March 11 or March 12 depending on the sighting of the moon.