Dhaka: Holy Shab-e-Barat, the night of fortune and forgiveness, will be observed in Bangladesh on Thursday with due religious fervour.

According to Muslim belief, Shab-e-Barat is the night when Allah arranges the affairs of the following year. On this night, Allah writes the destinies of all the creations for the coming year by taking into account their past deeds.

The Muslim devotees will offer special prayers, recite from the Holy Quran, hold milad, zikr and other religious rituals seeking divine blessings for the wellbeing of mankind.

They will pass the whole night offering prayers.

The Muslims will also visit the graveyards of their relatives and Muslim saints and distribute sweetmeats and homemade foods among the poor, their neighbours, friends and relatives.

Islamic Foundation has chalked out various programmes, including religious sermons, recitation from the Quran, singing hamd-na't, offering doa and special prayers, on the occasion.

Other religious and socio-cultural organisations will also hold milad, zikr and perform other religious rituals throughout the night.

Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private TV channels and radio stations will air special programmes while newspapers will publish articles, highlighting the significance of the night.

Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the occasion.

In his message, the President said the holy night opens up an opportunity for mankind to get special blessings and forgiveness of Almighty Allah.

Terming Islam a religion of peace and welfare, he called upon devotees to pray to Almighty Allah during the holy night for the continued progress and welfare of the country and greater unity of the Muslim Ummah.

The Prime Minister, in her message, said Shab-e-Barat is a night of fortune which brings the blessings of Almighty Allah for mankind.

She urged all to employ themselves in the work for the welfare of mankind and build the country enlightened with the spirit of the holy Shab-e-Barat.