Eid-ul-Azha celebrated nationwide

Eid-ul-Azha, the second-largest religious festival for Muslims, was celebrated across Bangladesh today with due religious fervour and festivity.

The festival was observed in the spirit of devotion, sacrifice and submission to the will of Almighty Allah.

Muslim devotees offered Eid prayers at Eidgahs and mosques across the country in the morning. Religious scholars and khateebs delivered sermons highlighting the significance of Qurbani and the teachings of sacrifice in Islam.

After the prayers, devotees exchanged Eid greetings, strengthening the bonds of fraternity, brotherhood and harmony.

The main Eid congregation was held at the National Eidgah adjacent to the High Court premises in the capital.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman offered Eid prayers along with hundreds of devotees at the National Eidgah.

After the prayers, they joined a munajat seeking blessings for the Muslim Ummah and the nation.

The congregation was attended by the Chief Justice, cabinet members, the administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation, judges of the Supreme Court, members of parliament, political leaders, diplomats and senior civil and military officials.

Khatib of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, Mufti Muhammad Abdul Malek, led the Eid prayers.

A special munajat was offered after the prayers, seeking divine blessings for peace, progress and prosperity in Bangladesh, as well as the welfare of its people and the Muslim Ummah.

Special security arrangements were taken around the Eidgah premises.

In the capital, Eid congregations at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque were held at 7am, 8am, 9am, 10am and 10:45am. Another Eid congregation was held at the south plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the morning.

Deputy Speaker of parliament Kayser Kamal, parliament secretariat officials and devotees from different walks of life joined the congregation.

In a video message recorded at Bangabhaban on Eid morning, President Shahabuddin called on all to work together to build a just, democratic, non-communal and prosperous Bangladesh inspired by 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, the chief election commissioner, judges, chiefs of the armed forces, ambassadors, the Bangladesh Bank governor, the inspector general of police and senior government officials attended the reception held at Durbar Hall from 11am.

Distinguished personalities, senior politicians, writers, journalists, teachers, intellectuals and high-ranking civil and military officials also joined the programme.

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 a message to Tarique Rahman, the Indian premier reaffirmed New Delhi’s commitment to strengthening people-centric cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

In the morning, the Prime Minister visited the graves of his parents at Zia Uddyan and offered munajat on the occasion of Eid. He also visited the grave of his younger brother Arafat Rahman Koko at Banani graveyard and offered prayers there.

Later, the premier visited the graves of army officers killed in the BDR carnage and offered prayers at Banani Military Graveyard.

In the afternoon, the Prime Minister joined a feast hosted by the Bangladesh Army’s 25th East Bengal Regiment, also known as “Mrityunjoyi Ponchish”, at Zia Colony in Dhaka Cantonment on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.

After offering Eid prayers, Muslims across the country began slaughtering sacrificial animals seeking the blessings of Almighty Allah. Many devotees are also expected to perform Qurbani over the next two days.

All public and private offices have remained closed since May 25 as part of the weeklong Eid holiday announced by the government.

However, emergency services, including hospitals, healthcare, fire service, electricity, water, gas, internet and postal services, remain operational during the holidays.

Officials and employees engaged in those sectors are continuing their duties as usual.

Media organisations also announced a five-day Eid holiday, resulting in no newspaper publication from May 27 to May 31.

To ensure smooth Eid travel, the government took various measures, including keeping all CNG and fuel stations open.

Authorities also warned of immediate action against passenger harassment and travel-related sufferings.

Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private television channels are airing special programmes marking the occasion.

Special meals were served at hospitals, orphanages, prisons and childcare centres. Recreation centres across the country also saw a large number of visitors in the afternoon.

In Kishoreganj, the 199th congregation of Eid-ul-Azha was held at the historic Sholakia Eidgah Maidan under a five-tier security arrangement. Devotees from neighbouring districts and other parts of the country joined the congregation.

Another major Eid congregation was held at the Gor-e-Shahid Boro Maidan in Dinajpur with the participation of a large number of devotees.

The Gor-e-Shahid Central Eidgah Maidan spans nearly 22 acres. Devotees from Dinajpur and neighbouring districts, including Thakurgaon, Panchagarh and Nilphamari, gathered to offer Eid prayers there.

Our Chattogram office reports that Eid-ul-Azha was celebrated in a festive atmosphere with religious fervour and solemnity in the port city.

A total of 266 Eid congregations, including one at Jamiatul Falah Mosque, were held in the city.

The practice of Qurbani commemorates the devotion of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), who was prepared to sacrifice his son Hazrat Ismail (AS) in obedience to Allah’s command.

Almighty Allah later replaced Ismail (AS) with a sacrificial animal, symbolising the spirit of faith and sacrifice.

Eid-ul-Azha is also closely linked with the holy Hajj. Eid was observed in Saudi Arabia yesterday as Hajj pilgrims performed major rituals at Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina.

Many countries around the world celebrated Eid in line with Saudi Arabia.