Bangladesh has initiated steps to secure a $2 billion loan to meet fuel import expenses for the upcoming summer season, according to a Bloomberg report published on March 20, 2026. The proposed financing includes $1.3 billion under the International Monetary Fund’s ongoing loan program and $700 million expected from the Asian Development Bank. The government aims to finalize the multilateral borrowing by June, though no official details have yet been released.

Economic adviser Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir confirmed the plan, stating that discussions are underway with donor agencies for comparatively lower interest rates. He noted significant progress in talks with the Asian Development Bank and expressed optimism about securing funds from both ADB and IMF. Economists cited in the report said the loans would help stabilize Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves and reduce risks of fuel supply disruptions.

If completed as planned, the financing could provide short-term relief to the country’s energy sector and support economic stability during the high-demand summer months.

The Islamic Foundation has announced that five Eid-ul-Fitr congregations will be held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka on Saturday. The prayer sessions are scheduled sequentially at 7:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 10:45 a.m. The first congregation will be led by Senior Pesh Imam Maulana Mizanur Rahman, followed by Mufti Muhibbullahil Baqi Nadvi, Maulana Md Zakir Hossain, Maulana Zubair Ahmed Al Azhari, and Mufti Maulana Mohammad Abdullah for the subsequent sessions. Assistant Librarian Maulana Shahidul Islam will serve as an alternate imam if needed.

According to the Islamic Foundation, the arrangement of multiple prayer sessions aims to accommodate the large number of worshippers expected to attend, continuing the tradition of organizing several congregations each year during Eid-ul-Fitr at the national mosque.

The announcement reaffirms the Foundation’s preparation to ensure smooth and orderly observance of the festival’s main prayers in the capital.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has conveyed heartfelt greetings and Eid Mubarak to the people of Bangladesh and Muslims around the world on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. In a message delivered on Friday afternoon, he expressed hope that the festival would strengthen national unity, mutual harmony, and compassion among all.

He described Eid-ul-Fitr as one of the most significant religious festivals for Muslims, marking the end of a month of fasting and self-restraint with messages of joy, peace, and brotherhood. The Prime Minister emphasized that Ramadan teaches self-control, sacrifice, service, and purification, fostering empathy and cooperation within society.

Rahman called on citizens to embody the teachings of Ramadan in personal, family, social, and national life, urging everyone to rise above divisions and share Eid’s joy with the underprivileged. He also prayed for peace, progress, and prosperity for the nation and the well-being of the global Muslim community.

Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, M Riaz Hamidullah, met Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi on Friday to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries. The courtesy meeting took place at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and both sides confirmed the discussion through their official social media posts.

According to the report, the meeting focused on enhancing mutual cooperation and advancing shared interests. Jaishankar stated that the main theme of the discussion was reinforcing bilateral ties, while Hamidullah emphasized Bangladesh’s readiness to work with India based on mutual benefit and common interests. Diplomatic sources indicated that Hamidullah was also expected to hold a courtesy meeting with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal later in the day.

Riaz Hamidullah has been serving as Bangladesh’s High Commissioner in New Delhi since May of the previous year, and this was his first minister-level meeting since assuming the post. The report also mentioned that Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman may visit India briefly next month while en route to Mauritius for an Indian Ocean Rim Association ministerial conference.

A total of 282 Bangladeshi nationals are returning home from Bahrain amid the ongoing war situation in the Middle East. The group departed for Dhaka on Friday, March 20, 2026, aboard a special chartered flight that will travel from Bahrain to Dhaka via Dammam. The repatriation flight was arranged to ensure the safe return of citizens affected by the regional instability.

According to the Bangladesh Embassy in Manama, the special flight was organized by the embassy in cooperation with Gulf Air. The aircraft took off at 9 a.m. local time carrying all 282 passengers. Before departure, Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Bahrain, Md. Rois Hasan Sarwar, met the expatriates at the Golden Tulip Hotel, wishing them a safe journey and expressing gratitude to the airline for its assistance.

The embassy’s initiative highlights Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to support its citizens in conflict-affected areas of the Middle East and ensure their safe repatriation when necessary.

Several Gulf countries have banned open-field Eid congregations due to heightened security concerns linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. According to Al Jazeera, authorities in these nations have instructed that Eid al-Fitr prayers be held only inside mosques. Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates have already urged citizens not to gather in traditional open prayer grounds after Ramadan.

Officials stated that the decision followed a reassessment of public safety risks in light of the current regional tensions. They described the measure as a precautionary step to prevent potential security incidents during large gatherings.

The move reflects growing unease across the Middle East as the Iran-Israel confrontation intensifies, prompting governments to tighten security and limit public assemblies during major religious events.

Security measures have been intensified around the historic Sholakia Eidgah Maidan in Kishoreganj ahead of the 199th Eid-ul-Fitr congregation, the largest in Bangladesh. According to a press release signed by Lieutenant Colonel Touhidul Bari, commander of the Netrokona Battalion (31 BGB), five platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed to ensure safety for the large number of worshippers expected to attend.

The deployed BGB members will work in coordination with the district administration and other law enforcement agencies to establish a strict security perimeter around the Eidgah and its surrounding areas. Special monitoring will be in place at entry and exit points. Authorities have instructed attendees to use designated entrances, avoid carrying bags, sharp objects, or suspicious items, and cooperate with security checks.

BGB stated that, in addition to border protection, it continues to assist in maintaining internal law and order with professionalism. As in previous years, maximum precautions have been taken to ensure a peaceful and safe Eid congregation at Sholakia, a site known for hosting large-scale Eid prayers for nearly two centuries.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed on Friday that its spokesman, General Ali Mohammad Naini, was killed in a joint missile strike carried out by Israel and the United States. According to Iran’s state-run Tasnim News Agency, the attack took place early in the morning, and the news of Naini’s death was shared through the agency’s Telegram channel.

Before his death, Naini issued a statement asserting that despite repeated attacks by Israel and the United States, Tehran remained capable of producing missiles. He pledged to continue the fight, emphasizing that the Iranian people supported ongoing resistance until their enemies were completely defeated. He added that the conflict should only end once the “dark shadow of war” was fully removed from the country.

The Israeli military also confirmed Naini’s death, stating that he was killed overnight in an airstrike. The incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing hostilities between Iran and its adversaries in the region.

Israeli airstrikes continued across southern Lebanon on Friday morning, targeting several towns including Bafiliya and Hanin in the Tyre and Bint Jbeil regions, according to Lebanon’s state news agency. The attacks left several people injured, though the exact number of casualties from the latest strikes was not specified.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Health reported that since March 2, a total of 1,001 people have been killed in Israeli attacks across the country. Among the dead are 79 women, 118 children, and 40 healthcare workers. The ministry also stated that 2,584 people have been injured during this period. The report, citing BBC Bangla, highlights the continuing escalation of violence between Israel and Lebanon.

The rising civilian toll underscores the growing humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict, with health workers among the casualties and widespread injuries reported across affected regions.

Israeli forces prevented Palestinians from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem to perform Eid al-Fitr prayers, according to Al Jazeera. As access to the mosque was blocked, hundreds of worshippers prayed at the gates and on nearby streets, particularly around the Damascus Gate area.

Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli soldiers closed the entrances to the mosque courtyard, stopping worshippers from entering. The Jerusalem Governorate condemned the move as a dangerous escalation and a direct violation of religious freedom. Citing the Palestinian news agency Wafa, it said the action aimed to impose a new Judaization reality and detach the mosque from its Palestinian and Islamic identity.

This marks the first time in six decades that Eid prayers could not be held inside Al-Aqsa Mosque, highlighting growing tensions in the region.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh Secretary General Maulana Yunus Ahmad has called on the government to take effective measures instead of making rhetorical statements about Eid travel management. In a statement issued to the media on Friday, he expressed concern over deaths and public suffering during the holiday journeys, noting that people’s eagerness to return to their villages often leads to exploitation by dishonest groups who raise fares and create artificial crises.

He criticized the new road transport minister for failing to reduce public suffering during Eid travel, citing fatal accidents and the return of excessive fare collection. The Islami Andolan leader urged the government to identify the real problems and take practical steps to address them.

Yunus Ahmad also warned that while outbound travel from Dhaka occurred gradually due to school holidays, the return journey after Eid would see heavier pressure. He urged authorities to act sincerely and take effective initiatives to manage the expected rush.

Bangladesh’s State Minister for Railways, Habibur Rashid, has acknowledged flaws and weaknesses in the railway’s online ticketing system that have allowed a group to sell tickets at inflated prices. Speaking to reporters during a visit to Chattogram Railway Station on Friday morning, he said software limitations were causing tickets to sell out quickly, after which they were being resold at higher prices. The ministry has already held several meetings to address the issue and is working to make the system more transparent and efficient.

The minister stated that instructions have been given to improve the software and strengthen monitoring to prevent black marketing and irregularities, ensuring passengers can easily obtain tickets. He also mentioned that preparations are underway to introduce Wi-Fi service on three trains on a trial basis, with plans to expand it gradually if successful.

According to the minister, these initiatives are part of the government’s broader effort to modernize railway services, making them more accessible, affordable, and passenger-friendly for the general public.

An Iranian missile struck Israel’s Haifa oil refinery, causing partial disruption to its operations, according to a report by Al Jazeera. The attack occurred on Thursday, and the Oil Refineries Company confirmed in a Friday statement that critical power supply infrastructure was damaged.

The company specified that the missile hit a power system serving a third-party facility essential to refinery operations. Despite the damage, most production units remain operational, and some of the affected units are being gradually restarted. Authorities expect full operations to resume within a few days.

The incident adds to ongoing regional instability, though the report did not mention any casualties or broader military responses. The company’s focus remains on restoring full functionality as soon as possible.

A three-day Eid festival organized by a citizens’ initiative in Dhaka begins today at the Rabindra Sarobar premises. The opening day features a daylong mehendi celebration followed by an evening cultural program where NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud will perform songs. The event marks the start of a series of festivities planned across the capital.

According to the organizing committee, the festival aims to revive Dhaka’s traditional urban heritage and festive culture. On Eid day, a colorful procession will start from the High Court premises, recalling the city’s historic communal celebrations. The final day will feature a kite festival at Suhrawardy Udyan, where participants of all ages will join in flying colorful kites to celebrate the joy of Eid.

Organizers said the initiative continues Dhaka’s long-standing tradition of Eid as a time for civic unity, cultural expression, and shared happiness.

London-based magazine The Economist has described US President Donald Trump’s decision to join Israel in a military campaign against Iran as a mistake and an act of poor judgment. In a post on social media platform X, the magazine warned that the reckless operation would weaken the American president and provoke an angry response, noting that Trump does not accept defeat easily.

According to the report, the war began on February 28, and the Trump administration’s stance has been unclear and inconsistent from the start. Citing earlier reporting by Middle East Eye, it said US lawmakers who were briefed on the situation expressed frustration over the lack of a clear plan to end the conflict or address control over the Strait of Hormuz. So far, 13 American soldiers have been killed, and global fuel prices have risen.

The report also mentioned the resignation of a senior national intelligence official who alleged that Trump was influenced by Israel and a pro-war “echo chamber.” The Economist warned that Trump’s political strategy depends on appearing victorious, and any perception of defeat could trigger retaliatory actions.