DHAKA, March 19, 2022 (BSS) - The holy Shab-e-Barat, the night of fortune, was observed throughout the country last night with due religious fervour and devotion.

 Muslims consider Shab-e-Barat as one of the three most sacred nights and believe that on this night Almighty Allah decides the fate of all human beings fixing their 'rizq' (livelihood) for the next year.

 President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday greeted all Muslims of the country and elsewhere across the world on the occasion of the holy Shab-e-Barat.

 In separate messages, they urged the Muslim devotees to observe the holy
Shab-e-Barat maintaining health guidelines and social distancing amid the
coronavirus situation.

The Muslim devotees spent the night at mosques and homes offering prayers, reciting from the holy Quran and seeking blessings to Allah for long life, peace, progress and happiness for themselves, their families, relatives and friends as well nation and the Muslim Ummah.

 On the night, the devotees across the country visited graves and prayed
for their beloved ones seeking their eternal peace. Many people also
visited mazars and shrines all over the country.

 Marking the auspicious night, Muslims usually prepare traditional foods like handmade rice-bread, beef and halua (a kind of dessert made usually from semolina, carrot, chickpea or papaya) at homes both in rural and urban areas across the country.

They distribute food and sweets among the neighbours and the poor.

A good number of Muslims are observing fast today.
Besides, food and money were also distributed among the destitute people.

 On this occasion, the Islamic Foundation (IF) chalked out programmes at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.

 The IF held religious sermons and doa-mahfils titled "Importance and Significance of The holy Shab-e-Barat" at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque on Friday it will also held the rituals today.

 Besides, religious sermons highlighting the significance of Shab-e-Barat were also delivered at various mosques after Maghrib prayers while special munajat were offered after Esha prayers last night.

Today is a public holiday in Bangladesh on the occasion of the holy Shab-e-Barat.

 Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, and private television channels
and radio stations aired special programmes on the occasion while
newspapers published special supplements highlighting the significance of
the night.