DHAKA, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS) - The holy Shab-e-Barat will be observed across the country on February 3, as the moon of the holy month of Shaban, 1447 Hijri, was not sighted anywhere in the country today.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee held this evening at the conference room of the Islamic Foundation (IF) at Baitul Mukarram.

According to the committee, the month of Rajab will complete 30 days on Tuesday (January 20), and the month of Shaban will begin on Wednesday (January 21).

Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs M Kamal Uddin presided over the meeting.

The National Moon Sighting Committee made the announcement after reviewing reports and information received from district administrations, the Islamic Foundation head office and its divisional and district offices, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and the Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO).

Among those present at the meeting were Islamic Foundation Director General Abdus Salam Khan, Cabinet Division Joint Secretary Mohammad Khorshed Alam Khan, Principal Information Officer (PIO) M Nizamul Kabir, Deputy Administrator of Waqf Bangladesh M Akbar Hossain, Dhaka Alia Madrasa Principal Professor Mohammad Obaidul Huq, Islamic Foundation Board of Governors member Maulana Syed M Mosaddeq Billah Al Madani, Bangladesh Television (BTV) Director M Jahirul Islam Mia, Islamic Foundation Da'eni Dawat and Cultural Division Director Dr Mohammad Harunur Rashid, Bangladesh Meteorological Department Director M Mominul Islam and SPARRSO Principal Scientific Officer Dr Muhammad Shahidul Islam, among others.