The moon of the holy month of Muharram was not seen in the sky of the country. As a result, Monday (July 8) begins the month of Muharram and the new year 1446 Hijri. The Holy Ashura will be celebrated in the country on Wednesday, July 17 (10th of Muharram), said Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Abdul Awal Howlader.

He said this after the meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee to determine the date of the holy month of Muharram 1446 Hijri and the date of the holy Ashura in the meeting room of the Islamic Foundation of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 7:30 pm on Saturday.

The Additional Secretary said in the meeting that according to the information received from all district administrations, Islamic Foundation head office, divisional and district offices, Bangladesh Meteorological Department, Space Research Center and Remote Sensing Center, the moon of Muharram month of Hijri 1446 could not be seen anywhere in the sky of Bangladesh. Sunday (July 7) will complete 30 days of the month of Zilhaj. Counting of the month of Muharram will start from Monday. Holy Ashura will be celebrated in the country on Wednesday, July 17 (10 Muharram).

Muharram is the first month of Hijri year. The day of Ashura is a public holiday in the country by executive order. Shias especially observe Ashura.

Ashura is celebrated in our country mainly around the tragic event of martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A.), the son of Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.) in the desert of Karbala. But in the history of Islam, the holy Ashura shines in some other significant events. Special virtues of fasting Ashura (the day of Ashura and one day before or after it) are mentioned in the hadith.

No other event is proven by Sahih Hadith except the deliverance of Prophet Musa (a.s.) and his followers from the hands of Pharaoh on the day of Ashura. The repentance of Hazrat Adam (A.S.) on the day of Ashura, Noah's (A.S.) boat resting on Mount Judi after the Great Flood, and the birth of Jesus (A.S.) are narrated by some Sahabi-Tabeee through unreliable sources.