Ramadan begins Tuesday

The Holy Ramadan, the lunar month of self-purification through fasting and abstinence, begins in the country on Tuesday as the new crescent moon was sighted in Bangladesh sky on Monday, reports UNB.

Lailatul Qadr, the night of divine blessing and benediction, will be observed on the night of 1 June.

The National Moon Sighting Committee took the decision at a meeting held at Islamic Foundation's Baitul Mukarram office with state minister for religious affairs Sheikh Md Abdullah in the chair.

Muslims are meant to fast from dawn to dusk during the lunar month, a time of restraint and austerity.

During the holy month, all government, semi-government, autonomous and semi-autonomous institutions will follow new office timing as announced by the government.

All these offices will remain open from 9:00am to 3:30pm with a 15-minute Zohr prayer break from 1:15pm to 1:30 pm during the month.