BBN file photo
Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) – Holy Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of the Muslims, will be celebrated in Bangladesh on Saturday with due solemnity and religious fervour.
On the occasion, Muslims across the country will offer prayers in congregations and sacrifice animals in the name of Almighty Allah. They will offer munajats seeking divine blessings for peace, progress and prosperity of the country as well as welfare of the Muslim Ummah.
The Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated on the 10th of Zilhajj month of the Hizri calendar as Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), on this day, some 4,000 years ago, offered to sacrifice his beloved son Hazrat Ismail (AS) who willingly submitted to the will of his father to please Allah. But Almighty Allah in His benign mercy spared Hazrat Ismail (AS) and instead sent a ram to be sacrificed.
To commemorate this historic event, Muslims all over the world slaughter sacrificial animals and draw inspiration from the unique example of sacrifice shown by two great prophets – Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS).
All the necessary preparations for holding Eid congregations and celebrations have been completed across the country, including capital Dhaka and Sholakia in Kishoreganj with due solemnity and religious fervour.
Hundreds of thousands of Muslims will offer prayers there seeking divine blessings, peace and progress for the country.
The main congregation of Eid-ul-Azha will be held at the National Eidgah in the capital Dhaka at 8:00 am on Saturday.
Besides, a total of five Eid congregations will be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka, according to a press release issued by the Islamic Foundation.
The jamaats will be held at 7:00am, 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:00am and 10:45am, it added.
Meanwhile, thousands of people are leaving the capital and other major cities to celebrate Eid with their near and dear ones in the countryside.
Like bus and launch terminals railway stations were seen overcrowded as holidaymakers heading for their destinations. Makeshift cattle markets in the city and elsewhere have been witnessing a rush of buyers for sacrificial animals.
Newspaper offices would also remain closed for three days until September 03.
State-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar and other TV channels and radio stations would broadcast special programmes on the Eid.
The national flag would be flown atop government and private buildings and roadside poles to mark the festival.
City corporations and district and upazila administrations have also drawn similar programmes to celebrate Eid.
On the day, improved diets will be served at government hospitals, prisons, orphanages, safe homes and shelter centers.
BBN/SSR/AD