Dhaka: The holy Shab-e-Barat, the night of fortune and forgiveness, is being observed in the country tonight (Thursday night) with due religious fervour.

According to Muslim belief, Shab-e-Barat is the night when Allah arranges the affairs of the following year. On this night, Allah writes the destinies of all the creations for the coming year by taking into account their past deeds.

The Muslim devotees are offering special prayers, reciting from the Holy Quran, holding milad, zikr and other religious rituals seeking divine blessings for the wellbeing of mankind.

They will pass the whole night offering prayers.

The Muslims are also visiting the graveyards of their relatives and Muslim saints and distributing sweetmeats and homemade foods among the poor, their neighbours, friends and relatives.

Islamic Foundation has arranged various programmes, including religious sermons, recitation from the Quran, singing hamd-na't, offering doa and special prayers, on the occasion.

Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private TV channels and radio stations are airing special programmes while newspapers published articles, highlighting the significance of the night.