The holy Eid-ul-Azha, the second biggest religious festival of the Muslims, is being celebrated across the country today with due solemnity and religious fervour.
The Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated on the 10th of Zilhajj month of the Hizri calendar as Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), on this day, some 4,500 years ago, 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 Hazrat Ismail (AS) and instead sent a ram to be sacrificed.
To commemorate this historic event, the Muslims across the country will offer prayers in congregations and sacrifice animals in the name of Almighty Allah. They will offer munajat seeking divine blessings for peace, progress and prosperity of the country as well as welfare of the Muslim Ummah.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages, greeting the Muslims in Bangladesh and all over the world on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Azha.
President Hamid will exchange Eid greetings with the cross sections of people, including eminent citizens and diplomats at his official Bangabhaban residence on the day at 10:30 am, Bangabhaban sources said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will also exchange greetings with the cross sections of people, including party leaders and workers, judges and foreign diplomats, at her official Ganabhaban residence on the day from 10am to 11am.
The premier will exchange Eid greetings with judges, the cabinet secretary, the chiefs of the three services, foreign diplomats, senior secretaries, secretaries and other civil and military officials from 11am at the same venue.
The main Eid congregation will be held at the National Eidgah near the High Court Bhaban here at 8am, said Islamic Foundation.
President M Abdul Hamid will perform his Eid prayers at the National Eidgah.
Senior Pesh Imam of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Hafez Mufti Mawlana Mizanur Rahman will lead the main Eid congregation at the Eidgah. Meanwhile, separate arrangement is also underway at the National Eidgah for women to say their Eid prayers.
The Eid congregations will be held at 582 spots in the capital. Of the total, 312 Eid Jamaats, including the main Eid congregation, will be held under the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) while the rest 270 Eid congregations will be held under Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).
A total of five Eid congregations will be held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, the first jamaat at 7 am, second at 8 am, third at 9 am, fourth at 10 am and the last one at 10:45 am respectively.
Organizers said adequate water supply and security arrangements have already been made at the Baitul Mukaram National Mosque to facilitate the Eid-ul-Azha prayers.
One Eid congregation will be held at the south plaza of the Sangsad Bhaban at 7.30am.
Two Eid congregations will be held at the Dhaka University central mosque Mosjidul Jamiah — the first one at 8am and the second one at 9am. Eid Jamaat will be held on Salimullah Muslim Hall field, Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall lawn, Uttar Nilkhet premises and Baitus Salam Jam-e-mosque of Giasuddin Ahmed Residential Area.
Eid congregation will also be held at Masjid-e-Baitul Haram at Lalmatia. Besides, like the previous years, the largest Eid congregation will be held on Sholakia field in Kishoreganj at 8:30 am.
Adequate security measures have been taken for peaceful and smooth celebration of the holy Eid-ul-Azha. The law enforcement agencies were also asked to ensure smooth movement of vehicles on highways, waterways and train routes.
Railway stations, bus and launch terminals were seen overcrowded for the last few days as home-goers are heading for their desired destinations.
Makeshift cattle markets in the city as elsewhere have been witnessing a rush of buyers for sacrificial animals. Special arrangement has been made by the public private transport companies including Bangladesh Railway, BRTC, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) for smooth travelling of huge number of homebound people.
State-run Bangladesh Television, BTV and Bangladesh Betar and other TV channels and radio stations would broadcast special programmes on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Azha.
Important public and private buildings will be illuminated in the capital and other cities. National flag and banner with the inscription of words ‘Eid Mubarak’ will be hoisted at public and private buildings and different important points in the capital and other cities across the country.
On the day, improved diets will be served to inmates of government hospitals, prisons, orphanages, safe homes and shelter centers.
The government earlier declared three-day public holiday on the occasion.
Source: BSS