Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday expressed gratitude for being able to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with the people of Bangladesh after many years. Speaking to journalists at the state guesthouse Jamuna following an Eid greeting exchange with citizens from various professions and diplomats, he thanked Allah and the people for their prayers and support.

Rahman said he prays for the health and well-being of all citizens and called for collective unity to build the Bangladesh that people aspire to. He paid tribute to those who were martyred in 1971 and 2024, emphasizing the need for cooperation beyond political divisions to achieve national goals.

The Prime Minister asked for prayers from the nation, assuring that the elected government will continue working with full strength to fulfill the people's expectations. He extended Eid greetings to all, wishing peace and prosperity for the country.

Opposition Leader in the National Parliament and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman exchanged Eid-ul-Fitr greetings with diplomats from various foreign missions in Dhaka on Saturday morning. The event took place at his official residence on 29 Minto Road, where a large pavilion was set up and the area was decorated for the occasion. Diplomats arrived one after another to greet the Jamaat leader, and arrangements were made for their hospitality.

Alongside the diplomats, State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md. Nurul Haque MP and several notable figures attended the gathering. Senior Jamaat leaders including Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Executive Council Member Mobarak Hossain, and several Members of Parliament from Dhaka constituencies were also present.

Later in the afternoon, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m., Dr. Shafiqur Rahman was scheduled to exchange Eid greetings with political leaders and people from various professions at the same venue.

An Air India flight bound for Vancouver, Canada, was forced to return to Delhi after nearly eight hours in the air when it was discovered that the aircraft lacked the necessary authorization to operate in Canadian airspace. The AI-185 flight departed Delhi at 11:34 a.m. local time on Friday and turned back near Kunming, China, after realizing the issue. The Boeing 777-200LR aircraft landed safely in Delhi after a total flight time of seven hours and fifty-four minutes.

According to the airline, the incident occurred because only its Boeing 777-300ER fleet currently holds permission to operate on the Canada route. Air India described the return as a “standard operating procedure” decision taken for operational reasons. All passengers and crew disembarked safely, and the airline apologized for the inconvenience.

The airline’s ground team in Delhi arranged hotel accommodations and assistance for passengers before re-departing the same flight the following morning. The incident is expected to have significant financial implications due to high fuel consumption during the nearly nine-hour flight.

Iran has fired two ballistic missiles targeting the joint US-British military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing US officials. The incident occurred recently and was reported on Friday. Both missiles failed to hit their targets, falling short of the base located about 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) from Iran. The attack suggests Tehran may now possess longer-range missile capabilities. AFP reported that the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

One missile reportedly malfunctioned mid-flight, while the other was intercepted by a defensive missile launched from a US warship. It remains unclear whether the second missile was destroyed. Diego Garcia, part of the Chagos Archipelago, is one of two bases the United Kingdom has allowed the United States to use for defensive operations against Iran. The base hosts US bombers and other military assets and has been a key hub for operations in Asia, including past missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The report also noted that Britain recently returned control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius but retained a lease for the Diego Garcia base. Former US President Donald Trump criticized that decision.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman exchanged Eid-ul-Fitr greetings with diplomats, academics, and people from all walks of life at the Jamuna State Guest House in Dhaka on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The event began in the morning, with the Prime Minister accompanied by his spouse, Dr. Zubaida Rahman. Crowds began gathering at the venue well before the scheduled time to meet the Prime Minister and offer Eid greetings.

Earlier in the morning, President Md. Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended the main Eid congregation at the National Eidgah on the High Court premises. The main prayer took place at 8:30 a.m. Following the prayers, the Prime Minister proceeded to the Jamuna State Guest House for the public greeting event.

The Jamuna premises were opened to the public from 8:30 a.m., drawing large numbers of citizens, political activists, and professionals. The crowd extended as far as the Intercontinental Hotel area, while law enforcement officials maintained security and order throughout the event.

India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has reportedly withheld the release of the Oscar-nominated film “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” citing concerns that it could harm India-Israel relations. The Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s docudrama tells the story of a five-year-old Palestinian girl, Hind Rajab, who was allegedly killed by Israeli soldiers while waiting to be rescued in Gaza.

Indian distributor Manoj Nandwana said he submitted the film for approval in February, hoping for a March release, but the CBFC blocked it, reportedly warning that the film’s release might damage diplomatic ties. He noted that the decision came shortly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel. The film had already been barred from several Indian film festivals, including those in Goa, Bengaluru, Pune, and Kerala.

Badi Ali, co-founder of production company Watermelon Pictures, criticized the move as unreasonable, while director Ben Hania questioned on social media whether the relationship between the two democracies was so fragile that a film could threaten it.

A US federal court has declared the Pentagon’s press-related restrictions unconstitutional, ruling that the policy violates the First Amendment of the US Constitution. District Judge Paul Friedman of Washington, D.C., ordered parts of the Pentagon’s policy to be struck down and directed the reinstatement of press passes for seven New York Times journalists who had returned their credentials last October after refusing to sign the new policy.

In his ruling, Judge Friedman stated that the Pentagon’s policy favored journalists willing to publish only “favorable or pre-approved information,” granting the government excessive power and interfering with press freedom. The court also found that the policy violated journalists’ Fifth Amendment rights by failing to clearly define how they could avoid losing their credentials.

The decision is viewed as a setback for the former Trump administration, which had reportedly increased pressure on the media. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the department disagreed with the ruling and would appeal. The court emphasized that while national security is vital, protecting the public’s right to know about government actions is essential to democracy.

The 199th Eid-ul-Fitr congregation was held at the historic Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj on March 21, 2026. Devotees from across Bangladesh gathered for the prayer, which began at 10 a.m. and was led by Mufti Abul Khayer Mohammad Saifullah. Approximately 600,000 worshippers attended the congregation, marking one of the largest gatherings in the country.

To ensure security, 1,100 police officers, four platoons of army personnel, five platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh, six Rapid Action Battalion teams, five platoons of Ansar, and 13 executive magistrates were deployed. Two special Eid trains operated from Mymensingh and Bhairab to facilitate travel for distant worshippers. State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam and Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Aslam Molla, who also chairs the Eidgah Committee, performed the Eid prayers at the site.

The large-scale congregation continued the long-standing tradition of Eid prayers at Sholakia, which has become a central religious event for Muslims across Bangladesh.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahid Uddin Swapon performed the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the central Eidgah mosque in Gournadi upazila of Barishal on Saturday morning. The congregation began at 8 a.m. and was attended by senior local administration officials, political leaders, and worshippers from various walks of life.

After the prayers, the minister exchanged Eid greetings with the attendees and local residents. A special prayer was also offered seeking the welfare, prosperity, and unity of the nation and the Muslim Ummah. On the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, the minister extended heartfelt greetings and congratulations to the people of Gournadi, Agailjhara, and the entire country.

The event reflected a communal spirit of celebration and unity as local leaders and citizens joined together in the religious observance.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that people are celebrating Eid with comfort due to the presence of a democratic environment in the country. He made the remarks on Saturday morning after offering Eid prayers at the Darus Salam Jame Mosque near his residence in Ward 10, North Kattali, Chattogram.

The minister extended Eid greetings to all and said that this year’s celebration feels different because citizens have regained a sense of ownership following the recent election. He emphasized that people are enjoying the festival with extra joy in a changed national atmosphere.

Chowdhury expressed hope that the country would continue to uphold this environment, allowing everyone to live freely, speak openly, and enjoy their constitutional, democratic, and political rights.

State Minister for Youth and Sports and Dhaka North BNP convener Aminul Haque exchanged Eid-ul-Fitr greetings with residents of Pallabi and Rupnagar in Dhaka on Saturday, March 21, 2026. After performing Eid prayers at Baitus Sujud Jame Mosque in Pallabi, he greeted worshippers and local residents, extending his best wishes to people across the country and his constituency.

During the exchange, Aminul Haque emphasized the importance of sharing joy with one another on this holy day and strengthening mutual harmony and unity. He urged everyone to work collectively to build a disciplined environment for the future of Bangladesh, noting that public cooperation is vital for national development and peace.

He further stated that fostering a healthy political culture requires unity beyond party lines and that mutual cooperation and harmony are essential to solving social problems.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Japan’s Kyodo News that Iran is ready to assist Japan-linked ships in transiting the Strait of Hormuz. According to the report, discussions between the two sides have already begun, and Iran is considering a temporary relaxation of the blockade.

A Japanese government official told Kyodo that direct talks with Iran are the most effective way to ease the blockade but emphasized the need for caution to avoid provoking the United States. The official also noted that even if Japanese vessels are allowed passage, it would not resolve the ongoing energy crisis. Another Japanese Foreign Ministry official said Araghchi’s statement should be carefully evaluated to understand its true intent.

The development highlights ongoing diplomatic efforts between Tokyo and Tehran to manage maritime access and regional tensions while balancing relations with Washington.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has declared that his party will ensure the implementation of the referendum verdict with public support. Speaking to reporters after Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at Monipur Girls School field in Mirpur, Dhaka, on Saturday, he said the referendum issue has already been raised in parliament and accepted by the Speaker for discussion. He emphasized that both the referendum and the general election reflected the people's will and urged the ruling party to respect that outcome.

Rahman criticized the government for mismanagement during the Eid travel rush, citing fare irregularities and hardships faced by low-income travelers. He described the situation as inhumane and a national embarrassment, urging authorities to make future Eid journeys more comfortable. He also extended Eid greetings to the nation and expressed solidarity with people suffering from conflicts in Gaza, Palestine, Iran, Kashmir, and other regions.

Senior Jamaat leaders, including Mohammad Selim Uddin and Abdur Rahman Musa, were present at the event, along with local residents and party activists.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced the 70th phase of its retaliatory operations, claiming to have struck more than 55 locations linked to US and Israeli interests. According to a statement published by Iran’s English-language outlet Press TV, the latest attacks caused powerful explosions, flashes of fire, and rising smoke columns in targeted areas.

Several regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Israel, reported activating their air defense systems early Saturday to intercept incoming drones and missiles. The report also stated that Iran launched at least two medium-range ballistic missiles toward the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia Island in the Indian Ocean.

The overall situation across the Gulf and the wider Middle East has become increasingly tense following these developments, signaling a further escalation of regional hostilities.

NCP convenor and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam extended Eid greetings to the nation after offering Eid prayers at Beribadh Jame Mosque in Dhaka on Saturday morning. Speaking to journalists, he said that the caretaker government and related matters had occurred outside the constitution, but were later legitimized under constitutional provisions. He described the process as a matter of political will and goodwill.

Nahid Islam emphasized that Eid is a day for unity and positivity, stating that political discussions should be avoided during the festival. He added that after Eid, the parliament would hold discussions on the referendum and constitutional issues, and his party would present its programs there.

The event took place amid a festive atmosphere in the capital, where political and community leaders exchanged greetings following Eid prayers.