The holy Eid-ul-Azha, the second biggest religious festival of the Muslims, was celebrated across the country Wednesday with due solemnity, religious fervor and zeal.
On the occasion, the Muslims across the country offered prayers in congregations and sacrificed animals in the name of Almighty Allah.
They also offered special munajat 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 4,500 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 all over the world slaughter sacrificial animals and draw inspiration from the unique example of sacrifice to please Allah as shown by two great prophets — Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS).
President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Begum Rawshan Ershad gave separate messages, greeting the Muslims in Bangladesh and all over the world on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.
On the occasion, President Abdul Hamid exchanged greetings with the people of all strata of lives at the Bangabhaban while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Ganabhaban.
Meanwhile, millions of people left the capital and other major cities to celebrate Eid with their near and dear ones in the countryside.
State-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar and other TV channels and radio stations broadcast special programmes on the Eid-ul-Azha.
Later on the day, improved diets were served to inmates of government hospitals, prisons, orphanages, safe homes and shelter centers.
The main Eid congregation was held at the National Eidgah in the capital at 8am. Pesh Imam of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Mufti Maulana Mohammad Ehsanul Haque conducted the main Eid congregation.
President Abdul Hamid offered his Eid-ul-Azha prayers along with hundreds of people from all walks of life at the National Eidgah.
A total of five Eid congregations were held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. The first one was held at 7am, second one at 8am, third one at 9am, fourth one at 10am and the last one at 10.45am.
The biggest Eid congregation of the country was held at Solakhia in Kishoreganj district. One Eid congregation was held at the south plaza of the Sangsad Bhaban at 7.30 am.
Two Eid congregations were held at the Dhaka University central mosque – the first one at 8am and the second one at 9am.
A total of 230 Eid congregations were held under the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and 179 under the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).
Besides, Eid congregations were held in the field adjacent to Salimullah Muslim Hall at 8am and the ground adjacent of Shahidullah Hall main gate at 8am.
Three Eid congregations were held at Dewan Bagh Sharif at Arambagh-the first jamaat at 8am, the second one at 9.30am and last one at 10am.
The amusement centres in the big cities such as Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi and Khulna became one of the main attractions for the families with kids.
These were decorated with new colours and lights to attract big crowds during the Eid holidays.
Important public and private buildings were illuminated in the capital and other cities.
However, a large number of holidaymakers thronged different tourist spots across the country such as Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet, Kuakata and St Martin’s Island to enjoy their holiday leisure during the Eid vacation.
District administration, upazila administration and city corporations and councils across the country also took different programmes to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha in a befitting manner.-BSS