The month of Ramadan begins in Bangladesh today as the Ramadan moon was sighted in the country Monday.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee held in the conference room of the Islamic Foundation in Dhaka Monday evening. The state minister for religious affairs and president of the committee, Md Shahjahan Mian, chaired the meeting.
The president, M Zillur Rahman, and the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, greeted the countrymen and all Muslims across the world on the advent of the month of Ramadan.
In separate messages on the eve of the fasting month, the president and the prime minister prayed for continued peace and progress of the country and welfare of the Muslim nations.
The president, in his message, said the Ramadan was the greatest gift for mankind as it comes every year with the opportunity of self-rectification and forgiveness.
'This month is open for all to get closer to Allah and attain His mercy, blessings and forgiveness,' he added.
The president wished that the teachings of the holy month be reflected in the lives of all.
In her message, the prime minister said Ramadan was the month of self-restraint, compassion and forgiveness. 'This month is for purification of souls through sacrifices and it creates the scope for getting closer to Allah,' she said.
Hasina called upon all to be inspired with the teachings of Ramadan and establish peace, amity and fraternity in personal and social lives, shunning luxury, malice, violence and conflicts.
'Let us help one another to establish peace by shunning all ills,' she said and called for maintaining sanctity of Ramadan by exhibiting a sense of proportion, patience and restraint in all spheres.
The opposition leader, Khaleda Zia, in a similar message, greeted the countrymen and the Muslims across the world on the occasion of Ramadan and prayed for peace and prosperity of them.
Source : New Age
