The crescent moon signalling the start of Zil Hajj, the last month of the Islamic calendar, has been sighted in Bangladesh, confirming Muslims in the country will celebrate Eid-ul-Azha on Jun 7, a Saturday.
The National Moon Sighting Committee made the announcement in a meeting at the Islamic Foundation hall in Baitul Mukarram National Mosque on Wednesday evening. Religious Affairs Advisor AFM Khalid Hossain presided over the meeting. Officials confirmed that the moon had been spotted and Thursday would mark the first day of Zil Hajj.
Eid-ul-Azha, also known as Qurbani Eid or the festival of sacrifice, falls on the 10th day of Zil Hajj. Muslims sacrifice animals to mark the occasion, their second biggest festival after Eid-ul-Fitr.
Traditionally, both Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha have three days of public holidays. For this Eid, the interim government initially declared public holidays from Jun 5 to Jun 6 and again from Jun 8 to Jun 10.
Later, the Advisory Council added Jun 11 and Jun 12 by executive order. Including the weekly holidays on Jun 13 (Friday) and Jun 14 (Saturday), government employees will enjoy a 10-day break from Jun 5 to Jun 14.
In Saudi Arabia, where the moon was sighted on Tuesday, Eid-ul-Azha falls on Jun 6, with Hajj on Jun 5. Bangladesh usually celebrates the Eid one day after Saudi.