Government offices, courts and banks across Bangladesh began operating under revised working hours from Thursday with the start of the holy month of Ramadan.
The moon was sighted on Wednesday evening, marking the start of the fasting month from Thursday.
The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification after approval at the Advisory Council meeting on 8 February, fixing office hours for all government, semi-government, autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies considering Sehri and Iftar times for Hijri 1447.
Government offices
Government offices will operate from 9am to 3:30pm throughout Ramadan. A break for Zuhr prayers will be observed from 1:15pm to 1:30pm.
Weekly holidays will remain Friday and Saturday.
Before Ramadan, office hours were from 9am to 5pm.
Courts
The Supreme Court administration issued a notification on 11 February setting Ramadan hours for lower courts. Court proceedings will run from 9:30am to 3pm, Sunday to Thursday.
Office hours will be from 9am to 3:30pm, with a Zuhr prayer break from 1:15pm to 1:30pm.
According to a notification signed by High Court Division registrar Muhammad Nurul Amin Biplob, trial proceedings at the High Court would start at 10:30am and continue till 3:15pm, with an intermission from 1:15pm to 2:00pm.
The High Court Division’s official activities will begin at 9:15am and continue till 3:30pm, with a break from 1:15pm to 1:30pm during Ramadan.
Banks and financial institutions
Bangladesh Bank revised office and transaction hours for banks for Ramadan through a circular issued on 10 February.
All scheduled banks will remain open from 9:30am to 4:00pm. Customer transactions will take place from 9:30am to 2:30pm. A prayer break will be observed from 1:15pm to 1:30pm. Banks must ensure alternative arrangements so that customer services continue during the break.
The Ministry of Public Administration said banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, postal services, railways, hospitals, state-owned industries, factories and other essential service providers will set and follow their own schedules in line with relevant laws and public interest.
Stock market
Trading on the country’s stock exchanges during Ramadan will begin at 10:00am and continue until 1:40pm. A 10-minute post-closing session will be held from 1:40pm to 1:50pm.
