The Holy Ramadan, the lunar month of self-purification through fasting and abstinence, will begin in the country on Friday as the new moon was not sighted anywhere in Bangladesh sky today.

Lailatul Qadr, the night of divine blessing and benediction, will be observed on the night of June 12.

The National Moon Sighting Committee took the decision at a meeting held at Islamic Foundation's Baitul Mukarram office with Religious Affairs Minister and committee Chairman Principal Matior Rahman in the chair.

Muslims are meant to fast from dawn to dusk during the lunar month, a time of restraint and austerity.

During the holy month, all government, semi-government, autonomous and semi-autonomous institutions will follow new office timing as announced by the government.

All these offices will remain open from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm with a 15-minute Zohr prayer break from 1:15 pm to 1:30 pm during the month.