BBN file photo
Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The holy Shab-e-Barat, the 15th of Shaban, also known as the night of blessings and glory, observed across the country on Thursday night with due religious zeal and solemnity.
It is believed that if one prays throughout the night for forgiveness, their sins are forgiven. The night is devoted to seeking forgiveness for past sins, and for good fortune in the coming year.
The faithful Muslim thronged the mosques and spent whole night there offering special prayers and munajaat for the almighty Allah's favour and protection and for long life, peace, progress and happiness for themselves, their families, relatives and friends and for the nation and the Muslim Ummah. Many at home also offered prayers during the night asking for the forgiveness and blessings of Allah.
On the night, the devotees across the country visited graves and prayed for their beloved ones seeking their eternal peace. Many visited mazars and shrines of saints all over the country.
As per tradition, many families prepared special dishes like handmade rice-bread, beef curry and halua (a kid of desert made usually from semolina, carrot, chickpea or papaya) and shared those with relatives and low-income group people.
In the capital Dhaka, Islamic Foundation Bangladesh (IFB) organised nightlong programmes at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. The programmes included recitation from the holy Quran, hamd-nath, waj-mahfil, milad, quiam and special munajat for the unity, prosperity and security of the country and entire Muslim Ummah.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the holy night, greeting all Muslims of the country and elsewhere the world. They prayed for peace, progress and prosperity of the nation as well as the Muslim Ummah.
Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private television channels and radio stations broadcasted special programmes highlighting significance of the night while newspapers published special articles and editorials.
Security measures were enhanced outside mosques to maintain safety of the worshippers inside the mosques.
A good number of Muslims are observing fasting today - also a national holiday.
BBN/SSR/AD