Moon sighted, Eid-ul-Azha Sept 2

The holy Eid-ul-Azha, one of the biggest religious festivals of the Muslims, will be celebrated across the country on September 2 as the moon of Zilhaj was sighted in Bangladesh today.

The decision came at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee at the Islamic Foundation this evening, with Religious Affairs Minister Principal Motiur Rahman, in the chair.

The minister confirmed the date to The Daily Star after the meeting.

The Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated on the 10th of Zilhaj month of the Hijri calendar.

The committee's decision followed evaluation of data and reports from all district administrations and offices of Islamic Foundation, Bangladesh Meteorological Department, and Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organisation.

The Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Azha to commemorate the true spirit of the sacrifice made by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS). On this day some 4,000 years ago, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) had offered to sacrifice his beloved son Hazrat Ismail (AS) who willingly submitted to the will of his father to please Allah.

But the Almighty in His benign mercy spared Hazrat Ismail (AS) and instead sent a ram to be sacrificed.