Moon of Ramadan not sighted, fasting begins Friday

Muslims in Bangladesh start fasting on Friday as the moon of the holy month Ramadan was not sighted in the country on Wednesday.

The National Moon Sighting Committee took the decision in a meeting held at Islamic Foundation's conference room at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the evening.

The committee president and State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan presided over the meeting.

According to the information received from the country's all district administrations, Islamic Foundation head office, its divisional and district offices, and Bangladesh Meteorological Department, Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO), the moon of month Ramadan was not sighted, and accordingly fasting begins on Friday, the state minister said.

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He also said the Laylat al-Qadr, the night of the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), will be observed on the night of April 18 (the 26th night of Ramadan).

During the holy month, it is, however, mandatory for all adult, sane, and healthy Muslims to fast from sunrise to sunset. 

While fasting, they must refrain themselves from sexual relations, and sinful behavior.

The women, who are menstruating or having post-childbirth bleeding, must not fast.

RMM/SU