The crescent moon of the holy month of Zilhajj of the Arabic year 1447 Hijri has been sighted in Cox’s Bazar, confirming that Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated across Bangladesh on May 28.
The matter was confirmed on Monday evening following a meeting of the district moon sighting committee at Laboni Point of Cox’s Bazar sea beach.
The committee said that they observed the moon of Zilhajj in the sky over Cox’s Bazar before Maghrib prayers on Monday.
Meanwhile, the National Moon Sighting Committee also announced the decision regarding sighting of the moon and Eid-ul-Azha following a meeting held in the conference hall of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the evening.
The meeting was chaired by Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad).
Earlier, Saudi Arabia announced the sighting of the Zilhajj moon on Sunday, setting May 27 as Eid day.
District moon sighting committee president and Cox’s Bazar deputy commissioner Md A Mannan, said members of the committee gathered at Laboni Point to observe the moon and confirmed the sighting before sunset.
He said the matter had already been reported to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
He also said coordination meetings had been held with relevant departments and agencies to ensure proper management of sacrificial activities and quick disposal of waste during Eid-ul-Azha.
He also said that they have taken initiatives to ensure proper preservation of sacrificial animal hides.
Member secretary of the district moon sighting committee and deputy director of the Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, Muhammad Sarwar Akbar, said the moon had been sighted on Monday, and Eid-ul-Azha would therefore be celebrated on May 28.
He said the main Eid congregation in Cox’s Bazar district would be held at the Central Eidgah ground at 7:30 am, while the second congregation would take place at 8:30 am.
He also mentioned that various mosques in the town and upazilas would finish their Eid congregations by 9:00 am.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
