The main Eid-ul-Fitr congregation will be held at the National Eidgah in Dhaka at 8:30 a.m., weather permitting. If weather conditions are unfavorable, the main prayer will take place at 9:00 a.m. at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. The Dhaka South City Corporation will oversee overall preparations, following decisions made at an inter-ministerial meeting chaired by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad, on February 24.

The meeting emphasized arrangements for prayer management, security, and public welfare. Separate entrances and seating will be arranged for women on the southern side of the Eidgah. The Ministry of Religious Affairs will nominate an imam, a qari, and a presenter from lists submitted by the ministry. Preparations include leveling the ground, installing tents, ensuring water and sanitation facilities, and deploying medical teams and law enforcement for security.

Government buildings will be illuminated, and special meals will be served in hospitals, prisons, and welfare centers. Underprivileged children will receive free entry to selected parks and museums, while Bangladesh Television and Radio will air special programs.

Indian Assistant High Commissioner to Sylhet, Aniruddha Das, visited the Sri-Sri Ramakrishna Sevashram in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, on Monday, March 2, 2026. Following his visit, he attended a meeting with the Sevashram’s executive committee as the chief guest. During the event, he highlighted the Ramakrishna Mission’s role in promoting non-communal values, education, and moral principles through humanitarian activities, and noted its contribution to strengthening cultural and spiritual ties between Bangladesh and India.

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Nibas Chandra Pal, president of the Sevashram’s executive committee, and conducted by Dipshikha Dhar, vice-president of Sreemangal Sarada Samiti. Rajesh Bhatia, Second Secretary (PIC&E) at the Indian Assistant High Commission in Sylhet, attended as a special guest and praised the Mission’s service-oriented initiatives, expressing hope for their continuation. Other committee leaders, including General Secretary Nirmalendu Bhattacharya, were also present.

At the end of the discussion, both guests were honored with crests and traditional scarves. The Assistant High Commissioner also toured various Mission activities and exchanged views with members.

A total of 136 new books were released during the first four days of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026, according to the Bangla Academy on Sunday. The second day saw 16 new titles, the third day 38, and the fourth day 42. The Academy does not count books released on the opening day. Among the new publications are 15 storybooks, 13 novels, 5 essays, 25 poetry collections, 5 research works, 1 rhyme book, 8 children’s books, 4 biographies, and 1 play. Additionally, six books cover science, travel, and history, while others include language, translation, science fiction, and miscellaneous topics.

Publishers said they are releasing diverse titles to maintain reader interest during Ramadan, with growing enthusiasm among visitors. Saeed Bari, a member of the fair’s organizing committee, expressed optimism that the event would conclude successfully as scheduled and help revive the publishing industry.

Visitors were seen buying both new and previously published books. Discussions and tributes, including one honoring artist Hamiduzzaman Khan, were also held at the fair’s main stage.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Chittagong University branch organized an Iftar gathering attended by about 3,500 students on Friday at the university’s central mosque premises. The event also featured a cultural evening following the Iftar. The program was conducted by branch finance secretary Hafez Mujahidul Islam and presided over by Chittagong University Central Students’ Union vice president and branch president Ibrahim Hossain Rony. Shibir Secretary General Sibgatullah Sibga attended as the chief guest, while International Islamic University teacher Sharif Uddin Patwari delivered a Quranic lecture.

In his speech, Sibgatullah Sibga emphasized that Ramadan teaches piety and that the Quran is the guiding light for society. He cited an example from the life of Hazrat Omar (RA) to illustrate the importance of cautious and God-conscious living. President Ibrahim Hossain Rony called for restoring moral values to curb social degradation, expressing concern over ongoing crimes such as rape, theft, and violence.

The event concluded with a prayer for the welfare of the nation and its people.

Al-Azhar University celebrated its 1086th founding anniversary on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, with a grand ceremony held at its main mosque in Cairo. The event highlighted the institution’s long-standing role as a symbol of Islamic scholarship, worship, and civilization. Egypt’s Grand Mufti, Professor Dr. Nazir Ayyad, emphasized that Al-Azhar was built on the strength of knowledge rather than political power, grounded firmly in the Quran and Sunnah. University President Professor Dr. Salama Juma Daud described Al-Azhar’s scholars as vast oceans of knowledge who enriched generations with their encyclopedic wisdom.

Historical accounts note that construction of Al-Azhar began soon after the founding of Cairo under Fatimid Caliph Al-Muizz li-Dinillah in 969 CE. The mosque was completed in 27 months, and the first congregational prayer was held on June 21, 972 CE. In 1172 CE, Sultan Salahuddin Al-Ayyubi transformed Al-Azhar into a central Sunni institution representing the four schools of Islamic jurisprudence, shaping its evolution into a global hub of Sunni scholarship.

Cultural Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury announced that the government will provide allowances to distressed artists and construct a full-fledged Shilpakala Academy building in Magura district. He also stated that, under the government’s plan, two canals will be excavated in each upazila. The minister made these remarks on Friday afternoon at the Magura Circuit House hall room, where he was welcomed with flowers by representatives of various political and cultural organizations.

During his address, the minister emphasized that government employees involved in bribery or corruption will face justice. He added that the government will maintain a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, extortion, and drug-related offenses among the general public as well. The announcement reflects the government’s broader commitment to cultural development and integrity in public service.

The initiatives aim to strengthen local cultural infrastructure while ensuring social welfare support for underprivileged artists, aligning with the government’s ongoing development agenda.

The Bangla Academy has suspended the 2025 literary award of poet Mohon Raihan, citing questions raised about his writings and poems. The announcement came during the inauguration of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 at the Bangla Academy premises on Thursday, where Prime Minister Tarek Rahman presented awards to eight other recipients. The Academy had earlier announced nine winners, including Raihan, in a February 23 notice.

According to Bangla Academy Director General Professor Mohammad Azam, the decision to withhold Raihan’s award was made to allow further review of the concerns raised about his work. The Academy stated that a final decision will be made after examination. The other awardees include Nasima Anis, Syed Azizul Haque, Hasan Hafiz, Ali Ahmad, Mustafa Majid, Israil Khan, Farseem Mannan Mohammadi, and Moeedul Hasan.

In a social media post, Mohon Raihan expressed surprise at the suspension, saying he had not sought the award and that his name had been announced before the ceremony. He claimed a group influenced the decision due to his poem “Taher’s Dream,” written 41 years ago.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on relevant authorities to consider transforming the Amar Ekushey Book Fair into an international event starting next year. He made the proposal on Thursday afternoon while inaugurating the fair at the Bangla Academy in Dhaka. The Prime Minister highlighted the fair’s significance in honoring the martyrs of the language movement and its role in celebrating the spirit of the Bengali language.

He noted that the Ekushey observance has already gained global recognition as International Mother Language Day. Rahman said that turning the book fair into an international event would help citizens engage with world literature and learn about diverse languages and cultures. He emphasized the importance of knowledge, science, and technology in building a merit-based and prosperous society.

The Prime Minister also suggested that Bangladesh should begin efforts to achieve recognition of Bengali as one of the official languages of the United Nations.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has emphasized that establishing a knowledge- and merit-based state and society is essential for Bangladesh to thrive with dignity in a competitive global environment. He made the remarks on Thursday, February 26, 2026, while inaugurating the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 at the Bangla Academy premises in Dhaka under the theme “Multidimensional Bangladesh.” He also reiterated Bangladesh’s continued efforts to have Bangla recognized as an official language of the United Nations.

Rahman suggested transforming the annual Amar Ekushey Book Fair into an international event to promote global literary exchange and multilingual learning. He called for organizing book fairs across all divisions, districts, and upazilas throughout the year, with support from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. Highlighting the negative impact of internet addiction on reading habits, he urged the youth to rediscover the joy of reading printed books.

The event was attended by cultural leaders and government officials, including the cultural affairs minister, who described books as a source of enlightenment and identity. The Bangla Academy president encouraged citizens to gift books during Eid and work collectively toward a knowledge-based, prosperous Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman emphasized the need to increase young people's interest in reading books while inaugurating the Amar Ekushey Book Fair on Thursday afternoon. He cited research showing that regular reading strengthens brain cell connections, enhances memory and analytical ability, and reduces the risk of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Rahman noted that while the importance of reading is well known, modern technology has become a major obstacle to this habit. He warned that internet addiction is making the younger generation less inclined toward books, even though reading online is possible. Citing studies from universities in the United Kingdom and Canada, he said excessive internet use poses a serious risk of diminishing students’ interest in study. He urged awareness of the negative effects of internet dependency.

The Prime Minister added that, on average, a person in Bangladesh reads about three books a year and spends only 62 hours annually on reading. He expressed hope that the Ekushey Book Fair would inspire more people to become regular readers and deepen their love for books.

A feature published on February 26, 2026, in Amar Desh presents reflections from several students of Eden Mohila College, Dhaka, on the courageous participation of women in the 1952 Language Movement. The article recounts how women defied Section 144, joined rallies, created posters, treated the injured, and faced arrests while demanding recognition of Bangla as the state language. Figures such as Rawshan Ara Bachchu, Sufia Kamal, and others are remembered for their leadership and sacrifice.

The students describe the movement as a symbol of identity, dignity, and resistance, emphasizing that women’s determination and humanity strengthened the struggle. They note that women’s involvement extended from the streets of Dhaka to districts like Chattogram and Satkhira, where many faced imprisonment. The article also connects the spirit of the movement to ongoing struggles for women’s rights and equality.

According to the reflections, the legacy of the Language Movement continues to inspire Bangladeshi women to stand against injustice, linking the historic fight for linguistic rights to broader movements for social and gender justice.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the Amar Ekushey Book Fair on Thursday afternoon at around 3:15 p.m. The event, delayed three times due to scheduling and publisher demands, has finally opened to visitors with a vibrant cultural atmosphere. Special arrangements have been made as the fair coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, including a three-tier security system established by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

Publishers expressed mixed reactions to the timing. Rafiqul Islam of Ruhama Publications said holding the fair during Ramadan carries spiritual significance, emphasizing knowledge and discipline. However, Ashrar Masud of Progoti Publications feared economic losses, predicting lower turnout during the fasting month.

DMP officials reported no specific security threats but confirmed heightened vigilance. Police monitoring will continue 24 hours a day, with uniformed and plainclothes teams, bomb disposal units, and SWAT on standby. Traffic restrictions have been imposed around Dhaka University, and strict cleanliness and no-smoking measures are in place to maintain a safe and orderly environment.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presented the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2025 to nine distinguished individuals during the inauguration ceremony of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 on Thursday at 2:50 p.m. The event marked the official opening of the annual fair and the recognition of notable contributions to Bangla literature and related fields.

This year’s awardees include Mohan Raihan for poetry, Nasima Anis for fiction, Syed Azizul Haque for essays and prose, Hasan Hafiz for children’s literature, Ali Ahmad for translation, Mustafa Majid and Israil Khan for research, Farseem Mannan Mohammadi for science, and Moeedul Hasan for contributions to the Liberation War. The ceremony highlighted the diversity of literary and intellectual achievements across multiple disciplines.

The presentation of the awards at the book fair underscores the continued importance of literary recognition in promoting Bangla language and culture nationwide.

A feature article by Dr. Tawhidul Islam, published on February 26, 2026, explores how Islam entered and expanded in Bengal through economic and trade connections rather than solely through conquest. The piece traces the process from Muhammad bin Qasim’s Sindh campaign in 712 CE to Bakhtiyar Khalji’s conquest of Bengal in 1204 CE, emphasizing that commercial motives and political ambitions often underpinned these military movements.

The article highlights that Arab merchants had established strong trade ties with the Bengal region long before Islam’s arrival, facilitating cultural and social exchanges. These interactions, combined with the later arrival of Sufi preachers, helped spread Islamic ideals among local populations. The author argues that economic interests, maritime trade, and social contact were the main driving forces behind the religious and political establishment of Islam in Bengal.

The analysis concludes that Islam’s foundation in Bengal was primarily shaped by economic motivations and sustained trade relations, which fostered both cultural integration and religious transformation across the subcontinent.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presented the Ekushey Padak 2026, one of Bangladesh’s highest civilian honors, to distinguished individuals for their outstanding contributions in various fields. The ceremony took place on Thursday morning at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. The awardees include Farida Akhter Bobita for film, Professor Md. Abdus Sattar for fine arts, Marina Tabassum for architecture, Ayub Bachchu (posthumously) for music, Islam Uddin Palakar for theatre, Shafik Rehman for journalism, Professor Mahbubul Alam Majumdar for education, Tejas Halder Josh for sculpture, and Orthi Ahmed for dance. The band Warfaze received the award as a musical group.

The event was presided over by Prime Minister Rahman and attended by cabinet members, senior military and civil officials, and invited dignitaries. The Ekushey Padak is awarded annually to recognize exceptional contributions to national life and culture.

The ceremony highlighted the government’s continued recognition of excellence across diverse creative and professional sectors, reinforcing the importance of cultural and intellectual achievements in national development.