The crescent moon marking the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan has been sighted in the skies of Cox’s Bazar. As a result, fasting will commence on Sunday, March 2. Devout Muslims will offer the Taraweeh prayers tonight after Isha and partake in Suhoor before dawn to begin their fast.
A special district moon sighting committee meeting was held at Cox’s Bazar sea beach, attended by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin, representatives from the Islamic Foundation, the Meteorological Department, the Imam Association, and other relevant officials. Together, they confirmed the sighting of the Ramadan moon.
However, the first person to spot the crescent was Abdul Hannan, an assistant meteorologist at the Cox’s Bazar Meteorological Department. “I was monitoring weather updates and came to the Laboni Point of the beach. That’s where I first caught sight of the crescent moon,” he shared.
Gradually, others present also witnessed the moon, affirming the beginning of Ramadan.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin expressed his joy, saying, “Alhamdulillah, we, the moon sighting committee, have seen the crescent while standing on the sandy shores of the sea. This is wonderful news, and we have informed the relevant government authorities following proper protocol.”
Fahmida Begum, Deputy Director of the Islamic Foundation Cox’s Bazar, told Cox’s Bazar Life, “The crescent moon was sighted at 6:08 PM. In Cox’s Bazar, Taraweeh prayers will begin at 8:38 PM.”
By Abdur Rashid Manik
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
