Muslims in Bangladesh will observe the holy Shab-e-Barat on the night of March 18 as the Shaban moon was not sighted in the country on Thursday. As the moon was not sighted the holy month of Shaban will begin from March 5 and Shab-e-Barat will be observed on March 18. The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee held at Islamic Foundation’s Baitul Mukarram office in the evening. State Minister of  the Ministry of Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haq Khan presided over the meeting. Also read: Shab-e-Meraj mosque attack: accused held at Dhaka airport The announcement was made after analysing data collected from the district administrations, Islamic Foundation, Bangladesh Meteorological Department, and Space Research and Remote Sensing Institute. Shab-e-Barat is observed on the 15th night of the Arabic month of Shaban. Muslims offer special prayers, recite the Quran, and take part in other religious rituals. Also read: Lailatul Qadr or Shab-e-Qadr observed