The National Moon Sighting Committee at a meeting yesterday said it neither sighted the moon nor received news of any sighting from anywhere in the country yesterday.

Ramadan office hours for government, autonomous and semi-autonomous organisations have already been announced.

From Saturday to Wednesday, office timings will be from 9:30am to 3:30pm while on Thursday from 9:30am to 2:30pm. There will be a 15-minute break for Zohr prayers from 1:15pm to 1:30pm every day.

However, institutions rendering essential public services such as commercial banks, post offices and hospitals will follow their own schedules.

In a statement yesterday, President Iajuddin Ahmed greeted countrymen on the occasion of Ramadan and said its teachings will pave the way for peace and welfare in society.

He also urged everyone to maintain sanctity of the holy month.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia also greeted the countrymen on the occasion.

"It is our sacred duty to continue development and maintain peace of the country by shunning violence and corruption in light of the teachings of Ramadan," she said in a statement yesterday.