Eid al-Fitr to Be Celebrated on Saturday in Bangladesh as Shawwal Moon Not Sighted

The moon marking the beginning of the Islamic month of Shawwal for the year 1447 Hijri was not sighted in the skies over Bangladesh on Thursday. As a result, the holy month of Ramadan will complete 30 days on Friday, and Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated across the country on Saturday.

The announcement was made by Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain following a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka.

After reviewing reports from district administrations, the Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, and the SPARRSO, the committee concluded that the Shawwal crescent moon was not visible anywhere in the country.

Eid al-Fitr, the largest religious festival for Muslims, is observed on the first day of Shawwal following a month of fasting during Ramadan. The exact date depends on the sighting of the moon, which determines whether the month lasts 29 or 30 days.

According to the Islamic lunar calendar, if the moon is sighted after 29 days of Ramadan, Eid is celebrated the following day. If not, the month completes 30 days before the festival is observed.

The meeting was attended by senior government officials, religious scholars, and representatives from various institutions involved in moon sighting and astronomical observation.