Eid al-Fitr to Be Observed on Saturday

The holy crescent of Shawwal for the year 1447 Hijri was not sighted in Bangladesh on Thursday, marking the conclusion of the month of Ramadan with its full thirty days. As a result, the nation will celebrate Eid al-Fitr on Saturday, following the month-long observance of fasting.

This announcement came after a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka on Thursday evening. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Minister of Religious Affairs, Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, confirmed that, after thorough verification of reports from all district administrations, the central and regional offices of the Islamic Foundation, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, and the Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organisation (SPARSO), the crescent of Shawwal was not visible anywhere across the country.

Eid al-Fitr, celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and is one of the most significant religious festivals in Islam. The date of the festival is traditionally determined by the sighting of the lunar crescent, and in cases where the crescent is not visible on the 29th day of Ramadan, the month completes 30 days, and Eid is observed the following day.

The committee meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Islamic Foundation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (West Asia Desk), the Meteorological Department, SPARSO, as well as prominent religious scholars and academics. Notable attendees included:

During the meeting, committee members reviewed lunar observations submitted by district authorities, religious institutions, and scientific agencies. Based on collective analysis, it was unanimously concluded that the Shawwal crescent had not yet appeared, confirming that Ramadan would complete 30 days and that Eid al-Fitr would be celebrated on Saturday.

Preparations for the nationwide observance of Eid are already underway, with mosques and Eidgahs arranging for congregational prayers, and local authorities coordinating security and crowd management. Eid al-Fitr is not only a time of spiritual reflection but also a major cultural and social occasion, bringing families and communities together in celebration across Bangladesh.

The lunar calendar continues to guide the timing of Islamic months, with each month lasting either 29 or 30 days depending on the moon’s visibility. This year, following the traditional moon sighting, the completion of 30 days of Ramadan ensures that Saturday will mark the joyous commencement of Shawwal and the Eid festivities.