United News of Bangladesh

With the holy festival of Eid-ul-Fitr approaching, kitchen markets across the capital have witnessed a sharp spike in the prices of essential commodities, particularly spices, meat, and fish. Visiting various kitchen markets on Friday (March 20) revealed a trend of rising costs for festive essentials, though vegetable prices have notably remained stable or even decreased as traders prepare to leave for their village homes. The most significant volatility was observed in the market for spices, where prices have jumped by Tk 50 to Tk 200 per kg within a few days. Cardamom (Elachi) has seen the steepest hike, now retailing at nearly Tk 5,000 per kg—an increase of Tk 220–250 from just last week. Other spice prices have also climbed. Cinnamon is selling for Tk 580–600, mace (Jaitri) at Tk 4,000, and nutmeg (Jaiphal) at Tk 1,500 per kg. Cloves are priced between Tk 1,800 and Tk 2,000, while cumin (Jeera) ranges from Tk 700 to Tk 800 per kg. Dry fruits followed suit, with cashews reaching up to Tk 1,800 and pistachios hitting Tk 4,000 per kg. Driven by high festival demand, the price of beef has risen by approximately Tk 80 per kg, now retailing at Tk 850 per kg. Mutton is being sold at Tk 1,350 to Tk 1,400 per kg, marking a jump of over Tk 100. In the poultry stable, broiler chicken is priced at Tk 210–220 per kg, while Sonali chicken is selling for Tk 350–360. However, egg prices have seen a slight decline. The fish market remains expensive, with Ruhi selling for Tk 350–400 and Pabda at Tk 450–500 per kg. Large prawns (Golda Chingri) are retailing for as much as Tk 1,200 per kg. Supply shortages of bottled soybean oil have pushed the price of loose oil to Tk 215–220 per litre. Sugar prices also remain high, with local varieties selling at Tk 140 per kg and imported sugar at Tk 100–105. Fragrant rice (Chinigura), another Eid staple, has seen a Tk 20–30 per kg increase, now selling between Tk 140 and Tk 175 depending on the brand. In contrast to the soaring prices of meat and spices, vegetable prices provided some relief. Many vendors were seen selling off their stock at lower rates to head home for the holidays. "I am leaving for my village tonight," said Kamrul, a retailer in the Karwan Bazar kitchen market. "I have a lot of stock left, so I am selling them at a lower price to clear the inventory," he said. Onions are currently selling for Tk 30–40, potatoes for Tk 18–20, and tomatoes for Tk 30–40 per kg. However, green chillies (Tk 80–100) and lemons Tk 60–80 per Hali ( 4 pieces) remain relatively expensive. Vermicelli (Semai) prices have remained stable, with 200g packets retailing at Tk 40–45.

Bangladesh will observe Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival for Muslims, on Saturday, as the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted in the country’s sky. The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque premises in Dhaka on Thursday evening. The meeting was presided over by Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad. During the meeting, various authorities, including district administrations, the Islamic Foundation headquarters, divisional and district offices, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, and the Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization, reported on the sighting of the crescent moon. The minister also greeted the Muslim ummah, including the countrymen, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. Munshi Alauddin Al Azad, Secretary of the Ministry, and Abdus Salam Khan, Director General of the Islamic Foundation, among others, were present. Meanwhile, thousands of people have already left the capital to celebrate Eid with their families in their village homes. President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will offer Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the main congregation at the National Eidgah at 8:30am.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Hossain Fakir on Tuesday said there is no specific security threat centring the Eid-ul-Fitr, assuring that law enforcement agencies are fully prepared to ensure public safety. He made the remarks while responding to questions from reporters after inspecting Gabtoli inter-district bus terminal in the capital around noon. The IGP said all police units across the country have been instructed to stay alert not only to manage traffic but also to ensure a smooth and orderly journey for homebound Eid travellers. “Bangladesh Police is fully alert. There will be no compromise in dealing with any criminal activities or untoward incidents,” he said. Addressing the issue of unauthorised bus counters operating inside Dhaka’s narrow lanes which often worsen traffic congestion, he said directives have already been issued to stop long-distance bus counters from operating within the capital. He said removing such counters requires coordinated efforts from all stakeholders including the authorities and the public. To ease congestion, the IGP suggested decentralising bus terminals instead of concentrating them in specific areas, saying this would help reduce passenger pressure and traffic congestion. Highlighting the importance of public awareness, he said ignorance of the law cannot be an excuse. “Knowing the law is both a citizen’s duty and our responsibility,” he added.

Bangladesh is set to begin a seven-day holiday from Tuesday as millions prepare to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival for Muslims. Government offices, courts and many private establishments will remain closed during the extended break, triggering a nationwide travel rush as people leave major cities—especially Dhaka—to celebrate the festival with family members in their hometowns. Accordingly, Monday (March 16) is the last working day before Eid. Subject to moon sighting, Eid-ul-Fitr is expected to be celebrated in the country on March 20 or 21. The government has also declared March 18 a holiday to ensure that people travelling home for Eid do not face disruption, making Monday the final working day for government officials and employees before the festival.  

The Australian Fatwa Council has announced that Ramadan 1447AH will end on Thursday, March 19, making Friday, March 20 the first day of Eid-ul-Fitr and the beginning of Shawwal 1447AH. The decision was made following consultations with local and international moon observatories, using calculations of the new moon’s appearance, moonset, and visibility across Australia and neighbouring regions — a method recognised by many prominent global scholarly councils. The Australian National Imams Council and the Fatwa Council noted that some scholars and Imams may follow alternative approaches and urged the community to respect differing opinions while fostering unity. The Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamad, along with member Imams, extended Eid greetings to the Muslim community. They encouraged Australians to remember Palestinians in Gaza through prayers, donations, and support, and to engage with neighbours to share the peaceful and authentic values of Islam. The councils emphasised that the moon sighting calculations ensure an accurate and consistent start to Shawwal 1447AH while acknowledging diversity of opinions within the Muslim community. Source: Gulf News

The government has declared March 18 a public holiday to facilitate smooth travel for people heading home during Eid-ul-Fitr. Now the government officials and employees will enjoy a continuous holiday from March 17 to March 23. The decision to declare March 18 (Wednesday) a holiday was taken at the Cabinet meeting held on Thursday at the Secretariat chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj confirmed the decision to journalists after the meeting. The move aims to ease the pressure of holiday travel as millions of people leave cities for their hometowns to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival for Muslims.

Bangladesh Railway will start selling advance train tickets for Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of the Muslims, from March 3 to March 9. Besides, it will operate five pairs of special trains in addition to regular services for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr to ensure safe and convenient travel for homebound passengers. The return journey tickets will be sold from March 13 to March 18. All tickets will be sold online. The decision was taken at a preparatory meeting held on February 22, at Rail Bhaban to discuss arrangements for the upcoming festival. The special trains will operate on the following routes: Chattogram–Chandpur–Chattogram, Dhaka–Dewanganj–Dhaka, Bhairab Bazar–Kishoreganj–Bhairab Bazar, Mymensingh–Kishoreganj–Mymensingh and Joydebpur–Parbatipur–Joydebpur routes. Besides, weekly off-days for intercity trains will be suspended from March 16 until the day before Eid. Divisional and zonal monitoring cells will be formed to ensure punctuality and passenger safety. However, extra coaches will be attached as per demand and relief trains will remain ready for emergencies. Goods trains, except container and fuel trains, will be suspended from March 19 midnight to 6 pm on Eid day. Law enforcement agencies, including Government Railway Police (GRP), RAB, BGB, and local police, will check entrance of ticketless passengers at the rail stations. Passengers are requested to not to rely on social media links for ticket purchases and report any fraudulent sources to the authorities.

The government has planned to introduce ‘Family Card’ on a pilot basis before the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, said Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo on Thursday. “As far as I know, the Prime Minister wants to begin it as a pilot project before Eid,” he told reporters responding to a question after a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat. The minister said the Family Card issue was elaborately mentioned in the ruling party’s election manifesto and today’s discussion focused on how to implement the programme. Fake ‘family cards’ sold in Narayanganj, husband and wife held Asked how many families would initially receive the card, Mintoo said the programme is intended to be universal and will not have restrictions. “A committee has been formed. The programme may begin with the ultra-poor, then expand to the poor and later to the middle class in phases,” he said.  

Road accidents claimed 249 lives and left 553 injured  in just 11 days during the Eid-ul-Fitr vacation when a total of 257 accidents occurred, according to data compiled by the Road Safety Foundation. Forty-one women and 59 children were among the dead, it said. Over 2000 people were injured across the country during this period but according to the media report, RSF found only 553 injuries during Eid holidays. The report was made after analysing accident reports published in the country's national and regional dailies and online media during the period. It said 106 people were killed in some 114 motorbike accidents across the country which is 42.57 % of the total fatalities. Among those killed in road accidents in 11 days, 39 were pedestrians which is 15.66 percent of the total deaths and 32 were drivers and assistants of the drivers of different vehicles which was 12.85% of the total fatalities. Additionally, during this period, 13 people were killed and 15 others injured in six waterway accidents while 12 were killed and eight injured in 17 railway accidents, it said. 2 killed, 21 injured in Bogura road accident Vehicles involved in the accidents include 19.11 percent buses, 13 percent pick-up vans, covered vans and lorries, 7.35 percent private cars and microbuses, 29.16 percent motorbikes, 21.56 percent local vehicles, 5.14 percent battery-run human haulers, 2.69 percent bicycles  and 1.96 percent unknown vehicles. Of the accidents, 33.85 percent occurred on national highways, 38.13% on regional roads and 16.73percent and 11.28% on other roads. The report reveals that Dhaka division saw the highest number of deaths with 28.79 percent fatalities while Sylhet division recorded the lowest number of accidents with just 2.72 percent fatalities. Three killed in Jashore road accident At least 62 people died in 74 accidents in the capital city Dhaka, according to the report.    

Some 10.7 million mobile users left Dhaka during the extended nine-day public holiday for Eid ul-Fitr, spanning from March 28 to April 3. This information, based on data from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), covers users of four major telecom operators—Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink and Teletalk. Faiz Ahmad Tayyab, special assistant to the chief adviser shared this data on his Facebook account. According to his post, during the holiday period, 10.7 million mobile users left Dhaka, while 4.4 million users entered the city. Due to the lack of precise data on how many individuals left Dhaka for other destinations, this estimate is based on the number of mobile users. Children and individuals who do not use mobile phones are excluded from this calculation, while those who use multiple SIM cards are included. The highest number of people left Dhaka on March 30, the day before Eid, with 2.39 million mobile users recorded as departing the capital. Between March 28 and 31, 7.75 million mobile users left Dhaka. Eid holiday ends; holidaymakers continue returning to workplaces  After Eid, a significant number of people continued to leave the city, with 2.99 million mobile users recorded as leaving Dhaka between April 1 and 3. As government offices, courts, and banks reopened on Sunday, April 6, many of those who had returned to their hometowns began returning to Dhaka. By this point, 4.44 million mobile users had reentered the capital, with a peak of 998,579 users returning last Friday. This data gives a clear indication of the massive movement of people within the country during the Eid festivities, highlighting the widespread migration to and from Dhaka during the holiday season.