Dhaka: The holy Shab-e-Barat, known as the night of fortune, was observed across the country on Monday night with due religious fervor and enthusiasm by devotees.

The Muslim devotees passed the night offering special prayers, reciting from the Holy Quran, holding milad mahfil, zikr and other religious rituals seeking divine blessings for the wellbeing of mankind.

They also visited the graveyards of their relatives and Muslim saints and distributed sweets and homemade foods among the poor, their neighbours, friends and relatives.

On the occasion, Islamic Foundation Bangladesh and other religious and socio-cultural organisations took up various programmes, including religious sermons, hamd-na’t, recitation from the Quran, doa and special prayers.

The government announced a public holiday for Tuesday.

President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Khaleda Zia issued separate messages felicitating the Muslims on the occasion.

In his message, the President said the holy night brings an opportunity for mankind to get divine blessings and forgiveness.

Terming Islam a religion of peace, he urged the devotees to pray to the almighty Allah during the holy night for the continued progress and welfare of the country and greater unity of the Muslim Ummah.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said Shab-e-Barat is a night of fortune which brings the blessings of almighty Allah for mankind.

 “I call upon all to engage themselves in the works for building the country and welfare of the mankind imbued with the spirit of the holy Shab-e-Barat,” she said.

In her message, Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia said Shab-e-Barat is a very significant and glorified night for Muslims. “At this holy night, it should be our resolve that we all will work for the welfare of the mankind shunning the violence, jealousy, bloodshed and conflict,” she said.

Bangladesh Television (BTV), Bangladesh Betar and private TV and radio channels aired special programmes.

Newspapers published articles, highlighting the significance of the night, also called Lailatul Barat.

According to Muslim belief, Shab-e-Barat is the night when Allah, the Almighty, sets the affairs of the following year.

On Shab-e-Barat, Allah writes the destinies of all His creations for the coming year by taking into account their past deeds.

Shab-e-Barat also means the night of forgiveness.

On this exalted night, Muslims pray to Allah both in preparation for the holy month of Ramadan and seeking forgiveness of the sins committed.

Ends/AMA/25/06/13