Rohingya refugees living in camps at Ukhiya and Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar observed Eid-ul-Fitr on Saturday, March 21, 2026, amid mixed emotions of faith and grief. While children showed brief moments of joy after morning prayers, many adults were seen mourning lost relatives and recalling the violence that forced them from Myanmar’s Rakhine State. The memories of persecution and the hardships of refugee life overshadowed the festive spirit.

During the Eid congregation, several imams and worshippers broke down in tears, praying for justice and expressing gratitude to the government and people of Bangladesh for sheltering them. They also sought divine help for a safe and dignified return to Myanmar. Camp resident Yunus Arman said celebrating Eid in exile felt empty compared to the traditions of their homeland.

According to the commander of the 8 Armed Police Battalion, security was tightened across the camps to ensure peaceful Eid prayers. Over 1.1 million Rohingya now live in 32 camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf, following the 2017 exodus from Myanmar.

A drone attack struck the Mansour residential district of Baghdad, Iraq’s capital, according to security sources cited on March 21, 2026. One of the drones reportedly targeted a building belonging to an Iraqi intelligence agency. Another source told AFP that the building housed a security agency coordinating operations with U.S. advisers in Iraq.

A separate drone that was filming the operation lost control and crashed into a private sports club popular among Iraq’s elite and foreign diplomats. The incident has heightened concerns about security conditions in the capital.

Following the attack, renewed anxiety has emerged over Baghdad’s overall security situation, though no further details about casualties or responsibility were provided in the report.

Independent voters in the United States are expressing growing concern over President Donald Trump’s conflict with Iran, a development that could influence the outcome of the upcoming November midterm elections. In Pennsylvania’s swing areas such as Levittown, residents voiced frustration and confusion about the new Middle East conflict, with some shifting support toward Democrats. Republicans currently hold a narrow majority in Congress, and even small voter swings could threaten their control.

Surveys cited in the report show that about 60 percent of independent voters oppose US military action against Iran, while 71 percent believe the Trump administration has failed to clearly explain its reasons for intervention. Analysts warn that this uncertainty could harm Republican prospects. Rising living costs and fuel prices linked to the conflict are also emerging as major campaign issues.

Some voters, however, continue to back Trump, citing the need to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Others argue that the war must end to avoid another prolonged conflict like Iraq or Vietnam.

Iran’s military on Saturday warned the United Arab Emirates not to allow any attacks from its territory targeting two disputed islands near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. According to a statement released through Tasnim News Agency, the operational command of Khatam al-Anbiya said that if aggression against Iran’s Abu Musa and Greater Tunb islands originates from UAE soil, Iran’s armed forces would launch strong strikes on Ras al-Khaimah in the UAE.

The Abu Musa and Greater Tunb islands have long been a source of dispute between Iran and the UAE. The islands are currently under Iranian control, but the UAE continues to claim ownership. Located near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, the area is a vital route through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply is transported.

The warning comes amid regional conflict that began on February 28 with a U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, which has since spread across the Middle East. Iran has accused Gulf states of allowing U.S. forces to operate from their territories and has carried out missile and drone strikes against what it describes as U.S. interests in those countries.

Russia has reported that Ukraine launched more than 280 drone attacks overnight, describing it as one of the largest assaults since the war began. According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, a total of 283 drones were shot down. Regional officials said about 90 drones were intercepted over the southern Rostov region, while Moscow’s mayor confirmed that 27 drones targeting the capital were neutralized. In the Saratov region, several houses were damaged and at least two people were injured, local authorities said.

The report noted that since 2022, Ukraine has been striking targets inside Russia in response to continuous Russian attacks, claiming its operations focus on military and energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian and U.S. representatives will meet in the United States on Saturday to revive momentum toward ending the war.

Zelensky added that Ukraine seeks a clearer understanding from Washington regarding the next stage of trilateral talks involving Russia, which had been delayed due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited the graves of his parents, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and late President Ziaur Rahman, at the Zia Udyan in Dhaka on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr. The visit took place around 1 p.m. on Saturday, accompanied by his family members and senior BNP leaders.

Earlier in the morning, Tarique Rahman performed Eid prayers at the National Eidgah. Following the prayers, he exchanged Eid greetings with people from various walks of life at the state guesthouse Jamuna. During a brief interaction with journalists, he extended Eid greetings to the nation and expressed gratitude for being able to celebrate the festival in the country after many years.

The day’s events reflected a combination of personal observance and official engagement, marking the Prime Minister’s participation in both religious and public celebrations of Eid-ul-Fitr.

The Maldives celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr on Friday, March 20, 2026, in a festive and religious atmosphere aligned with the Arab and Middle Eastern countries. Multiple Eid congregations were held across the islands from 7 a.m. local time, with the largest gathering taking place at the Maafannu Stadium in the capital, Male. Major mosques, including Masjid al-Sultan (Grand Mosque) and Masjid al-Salman, also hosted prayers simultaneously.

Bangladeshi expatriates living in the Maldives joined the celebrations in groups at mosques such as Nurul Miskin, Ibrahim Miskin, and Hukuru Miskin, many wearing traditional attire that added color to the occasion. Bangladeshi-owned restaurants offered special traditional dishes, and expatriates spent the day with family and friends in Male and nearby Hulhumale.

The Bangladesh High Commission in the Maldives extended Eid greetings to the expatriate community, joined by leaders of the Maldives BNP and various community, business, and social organizations. The event reflected a blend of religious devotion and cultural festivity among the expatriate and local Muslim communities.

The country’s largest Eid-ul-Fitr congregation was held on Saturday morning at the Gor-e-Shaheed Central Eidgah in Dinajpur. The prayer began at 9 a.m., drawing worshippers from across Bangladesh. Authorities arranged extensive facilities, including ablution areas, parking, medical teams, drinking water, and about 150 loudspeakers. The district police implemented a three-tier security system, and the Eidgah domes and minarets were decorated with electric lighting.

The congregation was led by Maulana Matiur Rahman Qasemi, a prominent Islamic scholar and Amir of Hefazat-e-Islam’s Dinajpur district branch. Among those attending were Dinajpur Sadar Member of Parliament Syed Jahangir Alam, Deputy Commissioner Rafiqul Islam, Superintendent of Police Zedan Al Musa, and people from various political, social, and cultural organizations, along with citizens of all ages.

After the prayer, participants offered special supplications for the peace and prosperity of the nation and the global Muslim community.

Eid-ul-Fitr prayers were held across Chattogram on Saturday in a festive and spiritual atmosphere. Worshippers gathered at mosques and Eidgahs from early morning, exchanging greetings after the prayers. Special prayers were offered for the peace and prosperity of the Muslim Ummah following the congregations.

The main Eid congregation took place at the Jamiatul Falah Mosque premises under the supervision of Chattogram City Corporation, with the first prayer at 8:00 a.m. and the second at 8:45 a.m. Separate congregations were also organized at the MA Aziz Stadium under the district administration and at 90 other locations across the city. Prominent mosques, including Laldighi Shahi Jame Mosque and Chasma Eidgah Mosque, hosted large gatherings.

City Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain, several Members of Parliament, and other political figures joined the prayers at different venues. Security measures were tightened around mosques and Eidgahs to ensure safety, and special patrols were deployed throughout the city.

An unusual heatwave struck the western United States on Friday, alarming climate scientists who described it as a once-in-500-years event. According to reports from Los Angeles, temperatures broke previous records throughout the week and were expected to remain high through the weekend. The heatwave, initially centered in the western cities, was moving eastward across the country.

In desert areas near the California-Arizona border, four locations recorded 44.4 degrees Celsius on Friday, setting a new national record for March. Weather.com reported that 65 cities, from Arizona and California to Idaho, experienced new March temperature highs. Death Valley reached 40 degrees Celsius, while typically cool San Francisco hit 29 degrees. The U.S. National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning for large parts of the Southwest, including Los Angeles, southern California’s coastal areas, and Las Vegas.

The World Weather Attribution group stated that such an event would have been nearly impossible without human-induced climate change, emphasizing its extreme rarity even in a warming climate.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has emphasized the need for international assistance to achieve a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis. He made the remarks on Saturday morning after offering Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at Pekua Central Jame Mosque in Cox’s Bazar, where he exchanged greetings with locals and later visited his parents’ graves.

Following the prayers, the minister inspected the Upazila field and directed authorities to expedite its renovation. He extended Eid greetings to the nation, urging unity to advance the country’s progress. Referring to the recent United Nations–organized Global Summit on Fraud held in Vienna, he also highlighted the importance of international cooperation in combating global fraud.

Salahuddin Ahmed arrived in Cox’s Bazar on Friday night for a three-day visit, traveling from the airport to his ancestral home in Pekua via the Hilltop Circuit House. During the trip, he is scheduled to attend several local programs.

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.