Muslims in Bangladesh are celebrating Eid-ul-Azha from Wednesday for three days with prayers, feasting and visiting family and friends.
Eid-ul-Azha, translating to the ‘festival of sacrifice’ – one of the most auspicious festivals in the Islamic calendar– is popularly known as Kurbani Eid in Bangladesh.
However, many villages in different districts celebrated Eid on Tuesday in line with the Saudi Arabian calendar.
Keeping with the past, the biggest Eid congregation was held at the historic Sholakia Eidgah ground in Kishoreganj on Wednesday. The main Eid congregation was held at National Eidgah in capital Dhaka at 8:30am.
Baitul Mukarram National Mosque’s Imam Hafez Mufti Muhibullahil Baki Nadvi led the main congregation there. The President, the Chief Justice, Cabinet members, Members of Parliament, Supreme Court judges, among others, attended the main congregation at National Eidgah.
A total of five congregations took place at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque every one hour starting from 7am.
The ritual, sacrificing cows, goats and sheep and distributing meat among relatives and the poor, is going on after the Eid prayers.
This year, the supply of sacrificial animals to the city’s makeshift cattle markets was plenty, much to the frustration of the livestock farmers and traders who claimed a drastic fall in the expected profit margins.
President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia have greeted the nation and the Muslim world on Eid. In separate messages, they wished peace, progress and prosperity for all.
In his message, President Hamid said, “Patience and tolerance are indispensable in the formation of a peaceful society. Our thoughts and actions should reflect the ideals and teachings of Eid-ul-Azha.”
He hoped this Eid of sacrifice will bring unity and solidarity among Muslims.
The Prime Minister in her message said, “Hazrat Ibrahim has left behind an unparalleled example of acquiring peace through sacrificing one’s most cherished things to the Almighty. This lives on as an example for people all over the world.”
She urged the people to internalise the lessons of Eid and create a peaceful and prosperous nation free of discrimination.
In the message, Khaleda said, “The lesson of Qurbani is to dedicate one to the welfare of humanity by shunning selfishness.”
The BNP Chairperson, however, thinks people would not be able to celebrate Eid properly in the current context, in a slant against the government.
After offering the prayers, President Hamid hosted a reception at Bangabhaban to exchange Eid greetings with the Dean of the diplomatic corps, diplomats of different countries in Bangladesh and chiefs of international organisations.
Hasina greeted leaders and activists of her ruling Awami League, professionals, distinguished figures and commoners on the lawn of Ganabhaban from 9am.
She started exchanging Eid greetings with diplomats and Supreme Court judges from 11am.
Khaleda greeted a cross-section of people, including diplomats, at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre on Wednesday morning.
She met diplomats at 11:30am and eminent citizens and commoners from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. The opposition chief will exchange Eid greetings with political leaders in her Gulshan residence on Wednesday night.
Security and festivities
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has taken special security measures around the National Eidgah and across the capital to ensure peace and safety during the Eid, Commissioner Benazir Ahmed said.
National flags have been hoisted atop the government and non-government buildings. City streets, road islands and important establishments have been decked up.
Special diets are being served in hospitals, jails, safe homes and destitute welfare centres.
Underprivileged children have been given access to all children’s parks under the Dhaka city corporations and the National Museum free of charge.
State-run Bangladesh Betar (Radio), Bangladesh Television and private TV channels are broadcasting special programmes, while the newspapers published special supplements on the occasion.
eNewsDesk
