The holy Lailatul Barat (Shab-e-Barat), the night of fortune, was observed throughout the country last night with due religious fervour and devotion. Muslims consider Shab-e-Barat as one of the three most sacred nights and believe that on this night Almighty Allah decides the fate of all human beings for the next year.
The Muslim devotees spent the night at mosques and homes offering prayers, reciting from the holy Quran and seeking blessings to Allah for long life, peace, progress and happiness for themselves, their families, relatives and friends as well nation and the Muslim Ummah.
On the night, the devotees across the country visited graves and prayed for their beloved ones seeking their eternal peace. Many people also visited Mazars and shrines all over the country.
Marking the auspicious night, Muslims usually prepare traditional foods like handmade rice-bread, beef and halua (a kind of dessert made usually from semolina, carrot, chickpea or papaya) at homes both in rural and urban areas across the country. They distribute food and sweets among the neighbours and the poor.
A good number of Muslims are observing fast today. Besides, food and money were also distributed among the destitute people.
On this occasion, the Islamic Foundation (IF) chalked out programmes at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.
The IF held religious sermons and Doa-Mehfils titled "Importance and Significance of The holy Shab-e-Barat" at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque on Friday it will also held the rituals today. Besides, religious sermons highlighting the significance of Shab-e-Barat were also delivered at various mosques after Maghrib prayers while special Munajat were offered after Esha prayers last night.
Today is a public holiday in Bangladesh on the occasion of the holy Shab-e-Barat.
Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, and private television channels and radio stations aired special programmes on the occasion while newspapers published special supplements highlighting the significance of the night.
