Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - The holy Ramadan, lunar month of self-purification through fasting and abstinence, begins on Saturday as the new moon was sighted on Friday evening.
National Moon Sighting Committee made the announcement at a meeting held at the Islamic Foundation in the capital Dhaka after reviewing the moon sighting reports received from different parts of the country.
M Shahjahan Mia, state minister for religious affairs, presided over the meeting.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and an occasion when Muslims across the world fast during the hours of daylight.
In separate messages, President Zillur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia have greeted the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan.
They hoped that the sanctity of the holy month will be maintained by showing restraint and patience at every sphere of life.
BBN/SSR/AD-21July12-10:04 am (BST)
