Dhaka: Holy Shab-e-Barat, the night of fortune and forgiveness, will be observed across country on Tuesday night with due religious fervour.

The Muslim devotees will pass the night offering special prayers, reciting from the holy Quran, holding milad, zikr and other religious rituals seeking divine blessings for the wellbeing of mankind.

They will also visit the graves of their relatives and Muslim saints overnight and distribute sweets and homemade food among the poor, their neighbours, friends and relatives.

Various religious and socio-cultural organisations, Islamic Foundation, have organised programmes, including religious sermons, hamd-na’t, recitation from the Quran, and special prayers, on the occasion.

Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia have issued separate messages felicitating Muslims on the occasion.

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

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

Shab-e-Barat also means the night of forgiveness. On this exalted night, Muslims pray to Allah both in preparation for the holy month of Ramadan and seeking forgiveness of the sins committed.