Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of Muslims, will be celebrated in Bangladesh on Thursday (June 6) as the Shawwal moon was a no show on Tuesday (June 4).

The National Moon Sighting Committee took the decision at a meeting held at Islamic Foundation's Baitul Mukarram office with Religious Affairs state Minister and committee chairman Sheikh Md Abdullah in the chair.

Thousands of people have already left Dhaka to celebrate the auspicious occasion with their families, which has come after a month of fasting, moderation, abstinence and self purification. Many more are expected to set out for home on Tuesday (June 4).

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on June 3 to greet the countrymen as well as Muslims across the world on this occasion.

All preparations for Eid congregations are completed in Dhaka and around Bangladesh.

In Dhaka, the main Eid congregation will be held at the National Eidgah on the High Court premises at 8:30am on Thursday. President Abdul Hamid is expected to join the Eid jamaat.

Arrangements have been made at the National Eidgah and the National Mosque for women to take part in the Eid prayers as well.

Special meals will be served in hospitals, jails, government children's homes and centres for persons with disabilities, shelter homes, orphanages, Vagrant Welfare and Destitute Welfare centres.

Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police has taken stringent security measures to ensure the smooth holding of Eid congregations in the National Eidgah.