Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)– Holy Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of the Muslims, will be celebrated in Bangladesh on Tuesday 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).
The government has taken elaborate programmes to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha across the country with due solemnity and religious fervour.
The country is enjoying a six-day holiday along with the weekly holidays on Friday and Saturday. The government, however, declared earlier a four-day public holiday from Sunday.
The capital's main Eid congregation will be held at the National Eidgah at 8.00 am to be attended by President Abdul Hamid and other dignitaries along with hundreds of people. Special arrangements have been made for women to offer Eid prayers at the National Eidgah. Over 100 thousands, including 5000 women, will be able to offer Eid prayers at the Eidgah.
According to Islamic Foundation, five Eid congregations will be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 7:00 am, 8:00 am, 9:00 am, 10 am and 10.45 am respectively.
The biggest Eid congregation will be held, as usual, at Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj at 9:00 am amid intensified security vigil. The authorities concerned have taken strict measures to ensure public safety.
Jalal Uddin Ahmed, an assistant inspector general of the police (media wing), said about 1,50,000 members of law enforcement agencies, including anti-crime elite force RAB and plain clothed detectives would be looking after the security on the Eid occasion.
Referring to the untoward incident during the Eid-ul-Fitr, he said a foolproof special security measure would be ensured in and around Sholakia Eidgah ground.
Over 400 Eid congregations - 220 jamaats in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and 180 others in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC)- will be held in the capital.
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 14. 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