Holy Ashura Holiday Falls On Friday

Ashura, Muslim holy day observed on the 10th of Muḥarram, the first month of the Muslim calendar (Gregorian date variable). This year it falls on Friday (Aug 20).

Meanwhile, the government has rescheduled the holy Ashura holiday from August 19 to August 20 (Friday).

A notification has been issued by the Ministry of Public Administration to reschedule the holiday on Wednesday (August 18).

According to the decision of the National Moon Sighting Committee in the allocation of business among the different ministries and divisions given to the Ministry of Public Administration, the date of holiday on the occasion of Holy Ashura has been rescheduled to 20 August instead of 19 August.

Earlier, according to the 2021 holiday calendar, the official holiday of Ashura was scheduled for August 19, beginning with the month of Shaban on August 10. But this time the month of Jilhaj ended in 30 days and the month of Muharram started on 11th August.

On the evening of August 9, at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee at the Baitul Mukarram Conference Hall of the Islamic Foundation, it was decided that the moon of the month of Muharram could not be seen anywhere in the sky of Bangladesh. As for that, Ashura will be celebrated on August 20.

Meanwhile, The Ministry of Religious Affairs has barred the traditional Shia Muslim ritual of Tazia processions that come after days of mourning.

Health restrictions on religious events imposed due to the pandemic will be maintained during the Muslim holiday, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Accordingly, all Tazia marches, processions and rallies will be barred on this sacred Muharram.”

However, people will be allowed to perform the necessary religious rituals to mark the occasion, provided that health restrictions and social distancing are maintained.

MM Firoz Hossain of the Hussaini Dalan Imambara told media that Ashura would be observed on Friday and that various events would be held at the Imambara starting at 10 am to commemorate it.

Last year’s events were also held indoors to the pandemic, he said.