Muslims in Bangladesh have celebrated their largest religious festival, Eid-ul-Fitr, with a call for sharing the joy.
Festivities began on Saturday morning with Eid prayers. Many devotees gathered at the National Eidgah premises in Dhaka to pray for the well-being of the people and the country.
The prayer service was led by Muhammad Mizanur Rahman, senior cleric of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.
President Md Abdul Hamid, Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sayeed Khokon and many others were in attendance at the service.
Eid prayers were also held at various other mosques and locations across the country. Though the services concluded peacefully, devotees had to overcome difficulties from rain in various areas.
In Chattogram, a minister, MPs, the city mayor, politicians and ordinary citizens came together during Eid prayers to commemorate the end of Ramadan without any political disturbance, promoting a message of peace and harmony.
President Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sent their Eid greetings to the people and prayed for continued peace, progress and prosperity of the country and the Muslim world.
After the prayers, Hamid exchanged Eid greetings with ministers, MPs, politicians, diplomats, professionals, and leaders of religious communities at the Bangabhaban from 10am.
“Everyone must try and ensure that people from all parts of society can experience the joy of the event. Both Eid-ul-Fitr and Ramadan can be fulfilled by sharing with one’s own joy with others,” Hamid said.
Speaker of the House Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Justice Hossain, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki and others attended the event.
Vatican Ambassador to Bangladesh Archbishop George Kocheri, US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat, Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla and various diplomats and representatives from international organisations also took part.
The chiefs of the armed forces, the vice chancellors of the various public universities, and top civil and military officials, members of parliament, high court justices, educators, cultural figures, business and religious leaders were also in attendance.
Hasina exchanged Eid greetings with the people at the Ganabhaban from 9:30am and with judges and diplomats from 11am.
She also sent Eid presents of flowers, fruits and sweets to wounded freedom fighters.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, however, was not able to exchange Eid greetings with the people like she did in previous years as she is in jail.
The jail authorities allowed 20 of her relatives, house helps and aides to meet her in the old jailhouse on Nazimuddin Road in Dhaka in the afternoon.
She spent some time with them and ate food brought by them.
Police, however, barred senior BNP leaders and activists from meeting her.
On the occasion of the Eid, special menus were served at state-run hospitals, children’s homes, shelters, safe homes and jails, bdnews24 reported.
Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private TV and radio stations were broadcasting special programmes.