Bangladesh will observe Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival for Muslims, on Saturday. The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee held on the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque premises in Dhaka on Thursday evening. President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman extended greetings to the nation, calling for unity, compassion and shared prosperity. Across the country, the festive mood has been tempered by economic pressures, with rising prices of essential commodities placing a strain on low-income families. In many urban slums, residents say the joy of Eid has been overshadowed by the struggle to afford basic necessities. Meanwhile, a massive exodus from Dhaka ahead of the festival has left the usually congested capital unusually quiet, as millions travel to their hometowns to celebrate with family. Authorities estimate that over 10 million people have left the city during the holiday period. Adding a touch of relief, light rain in parts of the capital on the eve of Eid brought cooler temperatures and improved air quality, offering a brief respite ahead of the celebrations.