Rajab moon sighted, holy Shab-e-Miraj on Jan 16 Religious Adviser

Staff Reporter :

The moon for Rajab 1447 Hijri was sighted across Bangladesh yesterday night, marking the start of the holy month on Monday and setting Shab-e-Miraj for the night of January 16, 2026 (Friday).
The National Moon Sighting Committee announced this at a meeting Sunday evening at Baitul Mukarram, precised by Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain.

Confirmations came from district administrations, the weather office, and space research centre, following reviews by Islamic Foundation officials.
Key dates for Shab-e-Miraj 2026:
– Moon sighted: December 21, 2025 (Sunday)
– Rajab begins: December 22, 2025 (Monday)
– Shab-e-Miraj: Night of January 16, 2026 (Friday)
Muslims commemorate the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) heavenly ascension to meet Allah on the 27th of Rajab, when five daily prayers were ordained for the ummah.
Observances include optional fasting, nafl prayers, Quran recitation, dhikr, and charity. Schools close and government offices get optional leave falling on a weekly holiday this year.