The holy Shab-e-Barat, the night of fortune and forgiveness, will be observed in the country on May 11 as the Shaban moon was sighted in Bangladesh sky this evening.

The National Moon Sighting Committee made the decision at a meeting at the Islamic Foundation office at Baitul Mukarram in Dhaka, said a handout.

Joint Secretary of the religious affairs ministry, M Amzad Ali chaired the meeting where respective government officials were present.

According to Muslim belief, Shab-e-Barat is the night when Allah arranges the affairs of the following year. On Shab-e-Barat, Allah writes the destinies of all the creations for the coming year by taking into account their past deeds.

Muslim devotees will offer special prayers, recite from the holy Quran, hold milad, zikr and perform other religious rituals throughout the night, seeking divine blessings for the wellbeing of mankind.