The holy month of Ramadan begins today in Bangladesh as the Ramadan moon was sighted in the country yesterday.The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee held in the conference room of the Islamic Foundation yesterday evening.The meeting also decided that the holy Shab-e-Qadr will be observed on the night of September 6.After the meeting, a munajat was offered seeking peace, progress and prosperity of the country as well as the greater unity of the Muslim Ummah.Later, the state minister inaugurated a month-long Islamic book fair on the Baitul Mukarram Mosque premises.Meanwhile, the Muslims all over the country have taken preparations to welcome the holy month and start fasting from dawn to dusk with religious solemnity.Tarabih prayers will be offered in the mosques at night. The devotees will take sehri and iftar.Meanwhile, President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday greeted the countrymen and all Muslims across the world on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan.In separate messages on the eve of the fasting month, the President and the premier prayed for continued peace and progress of the country and welfare of the Muslim Ummah.The president, in his message, said the holy month of Ramadan is the greatest gift for mankind. This month comes every year with the opportunity of self-rectification and forgiveness.The premier, in her message, said Ramadan is the month of self-restraint, compassion and forgiveness. This month is for purification of souls through sacrifices and it creates the scopes for getting closer to Allah.State Minister for Religious Affairs and President of the Committee Md Shahjahan Mian presided over while Religious Affairs Secretary Kazi Habibul Awal, Director General of Bangladesh Television Kazi Abu Jafar Siddiqui, Director General of Islamic Foundation Shameem Mohammad Afzal and Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Prof Maulana Mohammad Salah Uddin, among others, were present at the meeting