Dhaka: Holy Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of Muslims, will be celebrated in the country on Saturday if the Shawwal moon is sighted in Bangladesh sky on Friday.

However, the eid will be celebrated on Sunday amid religious fervour and enthusiasm after a month-long fasting if the new crescent moon is not sighted on Friday.

The decision will be taken at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee on Friday evening after reviewing the information of the Shawwal moon sighting.

Meanwhile, responding to the call of roots, thousands of people have already left the capital to celebrate the very auspicious occasion with their near and dear ones at their respective village homes. Many more are expected to set out for home on Friday.

Besides, all the preparations have been completed across the country, including the capital, for the smooth holding of eid congregations.

In the capital, the main eid congregation will be held at the National Eidgah on the High Court premises at 8:30am. President Abdul Hamid is expected to join the eid jamaat.

However, the venue of the main congregation will be shifted to Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in case of any inclement weather. In that case, the jamaat will be held at 9am.

Besides, five more congregations will be held at the National Mosque.

Arrangements will be there at the National Eidgah and the National Mosque for women to take part in the eid prayers alongside their male counterparts.

Eid congregations will also be held in eidgahs, mosques and open spaces across the country.

The national flag will be hoisted atop government and non-government office buildings on the day. The main city streets and road islands will be decorated with the national flag and banners inscribed with ‘Eid Mubarak’ in both Bangla and Arabic.

Television channels and radio stations will telecast special programmes.

Special diet will be served in hospitals, jails, government children’ s families, Chotomoni Nibash, centres for persons with disabilities, shelter homes, orphanages, Vagrant Welfare and Destitute Welfare centres.

Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police has taken stringent security measures to ensure smooth holding of eid congregation at the Jatiya Eidgah. “Devotees will be allowed to carry only jainamazs (prayer mats) and umbrellas at the eidgah but those will be checked at each entry point,” said DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia on Thursday. No one will be allowed to carry bags, vanity bags, mobile phones, firearms and sharp weapons to the eidgah for the sake of security, he said after visiting the security arrangements.