Staff Reporter :
The crescent moon marking the start of the Islamic month of Zilhajj was sighted in Bangladesh on Tuesday evening, officially confirming Eid-ul-Adha celebrations will begin on Saturday, 7 June.
The announcement followed a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee held at 6:30 pm at the conference hall of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. Chaired by Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain, the committee included religious scholars, astronomers, and officials from various government departments.
With this confirmation, the month of Zilhajj in the Hijri year 1446 has commenced, signalling the approach of one of the most sacred occasions in the Islamic calendar. Eid-ul-Adha, or the Festival of Sacrifice, is observed by Muslims worldwide to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s command.
Following the official calendar, the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) has declared a five-day holiday for newspaper offices from 5 to 9 June. Consequently, no newspapers will be published from 6 to 10 June, according to a notice signed by NOAB President AK Azad and issued on Monday. This decision was made during a meeting of NOAB’s executive committee in recognition of the extended Eid celebrations and related logistical challenges.
Meanwhile, several other countries, including Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, have announced that they will observe Eid-ul-Adha on Friday, 6 June, based on earlier moon sightings in those regions. Saudi Arabia confirmed the start of Zilhajj on Tuesday, according to Gulf News.
As preparations intensify across Bangladesh, authorities have urged the public to observe the festival with devotion, humility, and discipline.
The government is expected to issue further guidelines regarding the management of animal markets, public hygiene, and the distribution of sacrificial meat in the coming days.
Eid-ul-Adha traditionally begins with congregational prayers at mosques and open grounds, followed by ritual animal sacrifices.
The meat is then shared among family, neighbours, and the less fortunate, reinforcing the values of charity and community.
With less than two weeks remaining, marketplaces are already bustling as livestock traders set up stalls and families prepare for the annual celebration.
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