The Cabinet Division of Bangladesh has decided to declare March 18, 2026, as a public holiday in connection with the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. With this decision, government officials and employees will enjoy a total of seven consecutive days off during the festival. The announcement was made on Thursday morning following a cabinet meeting at the Secretariat, according to State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj.
Depending on the sighting of the Arabic month of Shaban, Eid-ul-Fitr is expected to be celebrated on March 21. The government had earlier set March 19 to 23 as general holidays for Eid. Additionally, March 17 is already a holiday for Shab-e-Qadr, and the newly declared March 18 holiday bridges the gap, creating a continuous seven-day break.
The extended holiday period is expected to facilitate nationwide travel and family gatherings during the festival, according to the official announcement.