Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Holy Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of the Muslims, was celebrated across Bangladesh with due religious festivity, solemnity and spirit of sacrifice on Wednesday.
The day's program began with the offering of Eid prayers by millions of Muslims at mosques and Eidgahs throughout the country.
They sought divine blessings of Almighty Allah for peace, progress and prosperity of the country and welfare of the Muslim Ummah. They also visited the graves of their near and dear ones to pray for eternal peace of the departed souls.
The government announced a three-day public holiday from Wednesday, marking the holy festival.
Newspapers have published special supplements on the occasion and Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar as well as private TV channels and radio stations are airing special and entertainment programs highlighting the significance of Eid-ul-Azha.
The main streets and road islands of the capital Dhaka and other cities were decorated with miniature national flags and festoons inscribed with “Eid Mubarak”.
Special meals have been served at jails, orphanages, vagrant centers and dormitories on the day.
Additional contingents of law enforcers have been deployed at different strategic points to ensure safe celebration of the festival.
Around 360 Eid congregations were held at mosques and Edigahs in Dhaka.
The main Eid Jamaat of the holy Eid-ul-Azha held in the capital city at the Jatiya Eidgah Maidan at 8.0 am (local time) on Wednesday.
Besides, five Eid congregations also held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.
President Zillur Rahman offered his Eid-ul-Azha prayers at the main Eid jamaat (congregation) on National Eidgah Maidan in the city at 8.00am this morning.
A special munajat seeking divine blessings for peace, development and welfare of the country and its people and greater unity of the Muslim Ummah was also held.
On the day, the 10th of Zilhajj some 4,000 years ago, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) offered to sacrifice his beloved son Hazrat Ismail (AS) who willingly submitted to the will of his father to please Allah. But the Almighty in His benign mercy spared Ismail
(AS) and instead sent a ram to be sacrificed.
To commemorate this historic event, the Muslims all over the world slaughter sacrificial animals and draw inspiration from the unique example of sacrifice to please Allah as shown by two great prophets --- Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS).
BBN/SSR/SI-18Nov10-12:47 am (BST)