News Desk
Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of Muslims, was celebrated across Bangladesh today with due religious fervour, devotion and festivity as millions of devotees offered prayers and sacrificed animals in commemoration of the supreme sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS).
The holy festival was observed in an atmosphere of spiritual solemnity, fraternity and joy across the country as people from all walks of life joined Eid congregations at mosques and Eidgahs from early morning. Religious scholars and khateebs highlighted the significance of Qurbani and the teachings of sacrifice, obedience and submission to the will of Almighty Allah during sermons delivered after the Eid prayers.
The main Eid congregation was held at the National Eidgah adjacent to the High Court premises in the capital in the morning. President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman offered Eid prayers there alongside hundreds of devotees.
Following the prayers, a special munajat was offered seeking divine blessings for peace, progress and prosperity of Bangladesh, as well as the welfare of the Muslim Ummah. The President and the Prime Minister joined the prayers with the devotees.
Chief Justice, cabinet members, judges of the Supreme Court, parliament members, diplomats, political leaders and high-ranking civil and military officials also joined the main congregation. Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Mufti Muhammad Abdul Malek conducted the Eid prayers.
Authorities adopted special security measures surrounding the main congregation to ensure peaceful observance of the festival.
In the capital, several Eid congregations were also held at the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram at 7am, 8am, 9am, 10am and 10:45am. Thousands of worshippers joined the congregations there.
Another major Eid congregation was held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal, Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat Secretary Barrister Md Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan, officials and employees of the parliament secretariat and devotees from different walks of life participated in the prayers.
In a video message recorded at Bangabhaban on the morning of Eid, President Mohammed Shahabuddin called upon the nation to work together for building a just, democratic, non-communal and prosperous Bangladesh imbued with the ideals and values of Eid-ul-Azha.
Later, the President and his spouse Dr. Rebecca Sultana exchanged Eid greetings with people from different walks of life at Bangabhaban. Cabinet members, judges, ambassadors, chiefs of the armed forces, Bangladesh Bank governor, inspector general of police, senior government officials, politicians, writers, journalists, teachers and intellectuals attended the reception held at Durbar Hall.
On the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed greetings to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the people of Bangladesh. In his message, Modi reaffirmed New Delhi’s commitment to strengthening people-centric cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
In the morning, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited the graves of his parents at Zia Uddyan and offered munajat. He also visited the grave of his younger brother Arafat Rahman Koko at Banani graveyard and offered prayers there.
Later, the Prime Minister visited Banani Military Graveyard where he offered prayers at the graves of the army officers killed in the BDR carnage.
In the afternoon, Tarique Rahman joined a grand Eid feast hosted by the Bangladesh Army’s 25th East Bengal Regiment, also known as “Mrityunjoyi Ponchish”, at Zia Colony in Dhaka Cantonment. Officers and soldiers of the regiment participated in the programme.
After offering Eid prayers, Muslims across the country began slaughtering sacrificial animals seeking the blessings of Almighty Allah. Many devotees are expected to continue performing Qurbani over the next two days in accordance with religious traditions.
The government announced a weeklong holiday beginning May 25 to facilitate smooth celebration of the festival. Despite the extended vacation, emergency services including hospitals, healthcare facilities, fire service, electricity, gas, water supply, internet and postal services remained operational throughout the holidays.
Officials and employees engaged in emergency and utility services continued their duties to ensure uninterrupted services for citizens during Eid.
Media organisations also announced a five-day Eid holiday, resulting in the suspension of newspaper publication from May 27 to May 31.
To ensure smooth travel during Eid, authorities took several measures including keeping CNG stations and fuel filling stations open round the clock. The government also warned transport operators against passenger harassment and vowed immediate action against irregularities causing public sufferings.
State-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar, alongside private television channels, aired special programmes marking the festival. Special meals were also served at hospitals, orphanages, prisons and child care centres across the country.
Recreation centres, parks and tourist spots witnessed large gatherings of visitors in the afternoon as families and children celebrated the occasion in festive spirits.
In Kishoreganj, the country’s largest and historic Sholakia Eidgah Maidan hosted the 199th Eid-ul-Azha congregation at 9am under a five-tier security arrangement. Devotees from different districts and neighbouring areas joined the congregation.
Another major Eid congregation was held at the Gor-e-Shahid Boro Maidan in Dinajpur district town at 8:30am with the participation of a massive number of devotees.
Spread over nearly 22 acres of land, the Gor-e-Shahid Central Eidgah Maidan drew worshippers from Dinajpur and neighbouring districts including Thakurgaon, Panchagarh and Nilphamari.
Reports received from Chattogram said Eid-ul-Azha was celebrated in the port city with due religious fervour and enthusiasm. A total of 266 Eid congregations, including the main congregation at Jamiatul Falah Mosque, were held there.
The practice of Qurbani commemorates the supreme devotion of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), who was prepared to sacrifice his beloved son Hazrat Ismail (AS) in obedience to the command of Almighty Allah. According to Islamic belief, Allah later replaced Ismail (AS) with a sacrificial animal, symbolising the spirit of faith, devotion and sacrifice.
Eid-ul-Azha is also closely linked with the holy Hajj pilgrimage. The festival was observed in Saudi Arabia yesterday after pilgrims completed major rituals at Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina. Many countries around the world celebrated the festival in line with Saudi Arabia.
The nationwide celebration concluded peacefully amid tight security and widespread participation, reflecting the deep religious significance and communal harmony associated with Eid-ul-Azha in Bangladesh.
