The holy Shab-e-Qadr, also known as Lailatul Qadr (the Night of Decree), when the first verses of the holy Quran were revealed to Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), was observed across the country last night (Saturday night).
The Muslim devotees passed the night by offering special prayers, reciting the holy Quran, holding zikr and other religious rituals, seeking blessings of the almighty Allah for long life, peace and progress for themselves, their families, relatives, friends as well as the nation and the Muslim Ummah.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted the countrymen and the Muslim Ummah across the world on the occasion.
Marking the Lailatul Qadr, today (Sunday) is a public holiday. Newspapers published special articles while state-run Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private television channels aired special programmes highlighting significance of the Lailatul Qadr.
According to the holy Quran, the night is better than 1,000 nights as the angels and the spirit descendtherein, by the permission of almighty Allah with all decrees.
This is one of the holiest and most blessed nights which is likely to occur on one of the odd number nights in the last 10 days of Ramadan and most likely to be the 27th of the holy month.
Devotees, on the nights, usually visit graveyards to seek eternal blessings for the departed souls of their near and dear ones.
To the Muslims, the entire month of Ramadan is a period of spiritual training. Besides fasting, they devote themselves to praying, reciting the holy Quran and offering charity.
A Doa-Mahfil and discussion was be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque on the occasion of the holy Shab-e-Qadr on Saturday evening.
Islamic Foundation arranged the Doa Mahfil and discussion titled “Importance and significance of the Holy Shab-e-Qadr” at 6.45pm after Magrib prayers.
Religious Affairs Secretary Muhammad Abdul Hamid Jamaddar attended the function as the chief guest.
Mufti Mawlana Sakibul Islam also attended the function as a discussant while Director General (DG) of the Islamic Foundation Dr Mohammad Bashirul Alam presided over the function.