The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Devotees in large numbers on Friday offered the first Juma prayers of the holy month of Ramzan at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque here.

Acting Khatib of the mosque Moulana Noor Uddin led the prayers.

Before delivering Khutba, he urged the affluent section of society to come forward in aid of the poor as well as to stand by the flood-affected people during Ramzan.

Moulana Noor Uddin offered special prayers and sought blessing of Almighty Allah for peace and prosperity of the country and the unity of Muslim Ummah.

Meanwhile, a month-long Islami book fair, organised by the Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, began on Monday on the premises of Baitul Mukarram.

A total of 61 book stalls have been set up in the fair displaying different kinds of Islamic books.

Islamic Foundation sources said the Bengali transcript of the holy Quran and Hadith and various Islamic books are being sold at the foundation stalls at 35 percent commission.

Secretary to the President's Secretariat Mohammad Sirajul Islam inaugurated the book fair and urged the Islamic Foundation to motivate people in reading Islami books on a large scale.

"'Iqra' (read) is the first word of Islam and the books should be made available to the readers through organising fairs across the country," Islam said.