The holy month of Ramadan begins today as the moon of the Arabic month was sighted in Bangladesh yesterday evening.

President Shahabudcfin Ahmed and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in separate messages have congratulated the countrymen on the occasion of the holy month and urged all to maintain the sanctity of Ramadan.

The President said this holy month brings ample scope to practice self-restraint and self-purification every year.

He said Ramadan's teachings of fellow-feeling are unique for the welfare of the people in this world and hereafter and for establishing peace in the society.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the main teachings of this month are self-restraint and sacrifice

She called upon the people irrespective of party affiliation and opinion to come forward to establish peace in the country shunning all differences.

She hoped the countrymen

would maintain the sanctity of the holy Ramadan

BNP Chairperson and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Begum knaleda Zia yesterday called upon all to maintain the sanctity of Ramadan.

In a' message on the eve of Ramadan, Begum Zia expressed her concern at the price-hike of essentials and urged all to keep the price level within the purchasing capacity of the ordinary people.