Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival of the Muslims, was celebrated in Bangladesh on Thursday with due fervour and solemnity and vowing to build a united resistance against militancy.
The Eid came after the holy Ramadan, the month-long dawn-to-dusk fasting and abstinence.
People from all strata of life offered Eid prayers at mosques, eidgahs and makeshift prayer venues in the capital Dhaka and elsewhere across Bangladesh.
The devout Muslims also offered special munajats seeking blessings of Almighty Allah for peace and development of the country, welfare of the people and greater unity and integrity of the world Muslims.
During the munajats, the people also prayed for divine blessings to help strengthen national unity against all odds and destructive activities, including terrorism and militancy.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted the countrymen as well as the Muslims across the world on occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr.
President Hamid and his wife Rashida Khanom hosted a reception for senior government officials, city elite and diplomats at Bangabhaban in Dhaka on the Eid day.
Talking to the media at the reception, the President said the appeal of Eid-ul-Fitr is unique to build a peaceful and friendly society as all people including the rich, poor, elite and disadvantaged stand in the same line on this day.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina exchanged Eid greetings with the people of all strata, including party leaders and activists, professionals, judges and foreign diplomats at her official Ganobhaban residence on the Eid day.
While talking to the media after exchanging Eid greetings, the Prime Minister urged the guardians to take steps to bring back their missing sons home. The government, she said, would extend all cooperation to find their missing boys and for their treatment.
Sheikh Hasina also asked the authorities of the colleges and universities to inform the police about the students who remained absent from their classes for a long time. The guardians may keep their identity secret while disclosing the names of their children.
Opposition Leader in the Jatiya Sangsad Begum Rowshan Ershad and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia also greeted the people on the occasion.
The country's main Eid jamaat was held at National Eidgah in the capital at 8:30 am where President Hamid offered his Eid prayers along with a cross section of the people, including cabinet members, judges of the Supreme Court, members of parliament, high civil and military officials, diplomats of different Muslim countries, political leaders and the elite. Senior Pesh Imam of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Maulana Mizanur Rahman conducted the Eid prayers.
A special munajat was offered seeking divine blessings for peace, progress and welfare of the country and its people and wellbeing of the Muslim Ummah.
After the prayers, President Hamid exchanged Eid greetings with the devotees.
As usual, the largest Eid congregation was held at Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj district with thousands of Muslims offering prayers seeking divine blessings, peace and progress for Bangladesh and the Muslim Ummah.
Tens of thousands of devotees joined the largest jamaat on the historic Sholakia Eidgah conducted by Maulana Shoaib, a teacher of a local Jamia Madrasa.
Five Eid congregations were held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 7:00 am, 8:00 am, 9:00 am, 10:00 am and 10:45 am.
Special diets were served in hospitals, jails, government-owned children and shelter homes, socially handicapped and vagabond welfare centres and shelter homes for the destitute.
Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television as well as private television channels and radio stations have been broadcasting special programs on this occasion.
BBN/SSR/AD