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Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Eid-ul-Adha 2025: Bangladesh confirms 10-day festive holidays ahead of crescent moon sighting of Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH
As the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah approaches, Bangladesh is preparing for an extended celebration of Eid-ul-Azha or Eid-ul-Adha (also known as Bakra Eid, Bakrid, Bakhreid, Eid-ul-Zuha, Eid al-Adha, Eid Qurban, Qurban Bayarami or the Feast of Sacrifice), with a generous 10-day public holiday on the horizon. While the final date hinges on the moon sighting, Eid-ul-Adha is likely to fall on Saturday, June 07, 2025, making the weekend (June 06–08) a festive stretch for many. In a move that is set to bring smiles across the nation, the Advisory Council of the interim government has approved a generous 10-day public holiday, giving citizens ample time to unwind, reconnect and celebrate. While the exact date of Eid is dependent on the sighting of the moon, all signs point to Saturday, June 07, as the likely day of celebration. With Friday, June 06 also part of the weekend, this sets the stage for a naturally extended break. If Eid-ul-Adha does fall on June 07, 2025, then the festive window from June 06 to 08 already includes two weekend days —perfect for planning family getaways, traditional festivities or just some well-earned rest but the real treat? The official Eid-ul-Adha holidays will begin on June 05 and stretch all the way to June 14, thanks to a cabinet decision confirmed during a meeting on May 06, 2025. Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, took to his verified Facebook page to share the news, writing: 'There will be a 10-day Eid-ul-Adha holiday, according to a Cabinet decision. Offices will be open on Saturdays on May 17 and May 24.' To make up for the extended break, government offices will remain open on two designated Saturdays in May — a small trade-off for such a luxurious holiday span. The 10-day vacation applies to government offices only. Banks and private sector companies will observe their own schedules, with financial institutions adhering to the Bank Company Act 1991 and private employers deciding based on internal policies. The announcement was made during a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, where Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul and Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam also confirmed that the cabinet had approved the Cyber Protection Ordinance 2025 — a notable addition to the meeting agenda that blends forward-thinking policy with traditional holiday planning. As the summer heat sets in, this extended Eid-ul-Adha break is a welcome chance for Bangladeshis to pause and indulge in both spiritual reflection and leisurely celebration. Whether it is a countryside retreat, a city staycation or a festive gathering with loved ones, this rare 10-day stretch offers the kind of breathing space that modern life rarely permits. Mark your calendars, plan your travels and get ready to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha in style — Bangladesh-style.
India Gazette
14-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Awami League activities banned to protect national security of Bangladesh, says Chief Adviser's Press Secretary
Dhaka [Bangladesh], May 14 (ANI): Bangladesh has banned Awami League, the oldest and one of the largest political parties of the country, to protect the national security and sovereignty, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser said late on Tuesday. 'We have witnessed how Awami League completely destroyed our democratic fabric, severely squeezed our political space and compromised our sovereignty during its 15-year-long tyrannical and kleptocratic rule. The wounds caused by the crimes against humanity perpetrated by this party are still fresh,' Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, told the reporters, responding to India's comments on banning Awami League activities. 'I have already said that the ban on activities of this party is necessary to protect national security and sovereignty, ensure the safety of July Movement activists, and safeguard plaintiffs and witnesses of the International Crimes Tribunal', he added. 'As for elections, we recall how the Awami League repeatedly resorted to grossly farcical elections and caused irreparable damage to our electoral processes and institutions. We are engaged in a reform process to rebuild our democratic system', Alam said. 'Elections are entirely our internal matter. We urge all to respect the sovereign will of our people in matters relating to elections', he said. Earlier on the day, India's Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, expressed concern over the ban on Awami League activities. 'The ban on the Awami League without due process is a concerning development. As a democracy, India is naturally concerned at curtailment of democratic freedoms and shrinking political space', Jaiswal said. 'We strongly support the early holding of free, fair and inclusive elections in Bangladesh', India's spokesperson added. The United States also opposed the ban on Awami League activities. 'We are aware that the interim government has banned the Awami League from all political activities until a special tribunal for the party and its leaders concludes. We do not support any one political party in Bangladesh over another,' said Thomas Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson, to the U.S. Department of State. 'We support a free and democratic process as well as fair and transparent legal processes for all individuals. We urge all countries, including Bangladesh, to respect the freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association for all,' Pigott told the reporters, replying to a question during the Department Press Briefing on May 13, 2025. Notably, the Bangladesh interim government on Saturday took a decision to ban all activities of the Awami League, including in cyberspace, under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the President of Awami League, was ousted from power in a student-led uprising on August last year. Hasina fled to India. An interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was formed. (ANI)
