The holy Shab-e-Barat, the night of fortune, was observed last night across the country with due religious fervor and solemnity.

The Muslim devotees passed the night offering special prayers, reciting from the Holy Quran, holding milad mahfil, zikr, and other religious rituals, seeking blessings of the Almighty Allah for long life, peace, progress for themselves, their families, relatives, friends as well as the nation and the Muslim Ummah.

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

Islamic Foundation and other religious organisations arranged daylong programmes, including discussion meetings, hamd-naat, milad, zikr and doa marking the holy night.

Islamic Foundation's programme began at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque after the magrib prayers. The programme included recitation from the holy Quran, hamd-naat, waz-mahfil, milad and offering special prayer.

At the programme, senior Islamic scholars delivered their sermons, highlighting the true teachings of Islam and various aspects of the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

The government announced a public holiday on Monday on the holy occasion.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted all Muslims on the occasion of the holy Shab-e-Barat.

In separate messages, the President and the PM prayed for peace, progress and prosperity of the nation as well as the Muslim Ummah.

Bangladesh Television (BTV), Bangladesh Betar and private TV and radio channels broadcast special programmes. Newspapers also published articles highlighting the significance of the night.