Muslims across the country celebrated Eid-ul-Azha on Friday by saying prayers and slaughtering sacrificial animals with due solemnity and religious fervour.
After the prayers, they exchanged greetings with friends and neighbours saying, ‘Eid Mubarak’.
The well-off Muslims sacrificed cattle, goats or other animals, keeping a portion for themselves and distributing the rest to friends, family and the needy, commemorating the great sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (AH).
The largest Eid congregation was held at Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj where over 0.1 million devotees took part.
A munajat was held after the Eid congregation seeking a divine peace for the mankind, country’s progress and the unity of the Muslim ummah.
The devotees also prayed for salvation of the departed souls of those killed in a stampede in Mina of Makkah on Thursday while performing hajj.
The venue and its adjoining areas reverberated with the word, ‘Ameen’ uttered by the devotees raising their hands in supplication.
State-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar and other TV channels and radio stations are airing special programmes. Newspapers have published special supplements on the occasion.
National flags were hoisted at different government and non-government offices and Bangladesh missions abroad marking the day. City streets were decorated with national flags and festoons inscribed with different messages on Eid-ul-Azha.
Important public and private buildings were illuminated in the capital and other cities. On the day, improved diets were served to hospitals, prisons, orphanages, safe homes and shelter centers.
In the capital, the main Eid congregation was held at the National Eidgah on the High Court premises at 8:00am. President Abdul Hamid offered the Eid prayers at the National Eidgah.
President Abdul Hamid, prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Begum Raushan Ershad issued separate messages, greeting the Muslims in Bangladesh and all over the world on the occasion of Eid-ul Azha.
The president also hosted a reception to senior government officials, city elite and diplomats at Bangabhaban marking the occasion.
However, prime minister Sheikh Hasina celebrated the Eid in New York while BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in London.
Sheikh Hasina went to New York to attend the 70th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Khaleda Zia went to London for her eye treatment and celebrated Eid-ul-Azha there with her family members.
Earlier on Thursday, the Eid was celebrated at different places in Munshiganj, Sylhet, Barisal, Bhola, Jhalakati and Barguna districts in line with the celebrations in Saudi Arabia.
Special arrangements have been made for women to say Eid prayers at the National Eidgah.
Five more congregations were also held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 7:00am, 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:00am and at 10:45 am.
Several million people left overpopulated capital Dhaka to celebrate Eid with their families in villages, braving the hassles of travel as a three-day Eid holiday began on Thursday.
Underprivileged children of the society can visit all children parks under Dhaka city corporation without ticket and visit Dhaka Museum. District administration, upazila administration and city corporations across the country have also taken different programmes to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha in a befitting manner.
Source: Prothom-Alo
