Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of the Muslims, was celebrated across the country on Wednesday. After offering prayers at Eid congregations in the morning, Muslims sacrificed animals commemorating devotion of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) to Allah as illustrated by his readiness to give up his beloved son Hazrat Ismail (AS). The country’s largest Eid congregation was held at Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj. Over 1 lakh devotees offered prayers there seeking divine blessings, peace and progress for the country.
In the capital, the main Eid congregation was held at the National Eidgah near the High Court at 8:30am. Mufti Muhibbullahil Baki Nadvi, pesh imam of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, conducted the prayer.
President Abdul Hamid offered his Eid prayer along with hundreds of people from all walks of life on the National Eidgah.
Five Eid congregations were held at the Baitul Mukarram at 7:00am, 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:00am and 11:00am.
Like the previous years, special arrangements were made so that women could take part in Eid prayers at the National Eidgah and National Mosque.
Eid congregations were also held in open fields, including Armanitola, Dhopkhola, and most of the mosques in the city and elsewhere.
President Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia hosted receptions for dignitaries and cross-section of people on the occasion.
The national flag was hoisted atop government and non-government office buildings on the day. The thoroughfares and road islands were decorated with the national flags and banners inscribed with ‘Eid Mubarak’ in Bangla and Arabic.
Improved diets were served at hospitals, jails, government-run children’s homes and vagrant and destitute welfare centres across the country.
The state-run Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, private TV and radio channels aired special programmes on the occasion.
Dhaka City Corporations (North and South) took steps to clear garbage and animal wastes from the streets immediately after the sacrifice of animals by city dwellers.
Festive atmosphere prevailed in amusement parks, Cox’s Bazar and Patenga sea beaches and tourist spots across the country as people thronged there to enjoy the Eid holiday.
Some 60 lakh people left Dhaka for their village homes to celebrate the Eid with their near and dear ones, leaving the city in a holiday mood.
-With UNB/The Daily Star input
