On the occasion, Muslims across the country will offer prayers in congre gations 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. The Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated on the 10th of Zilhajj month of the Hizri calendar as Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), on this day, some 4,000 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 Allah in His benign mercy spared Hazrat Ismail (AS) and instead sent a ram to be sacrificed.
To commemorate this historic event, 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 and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will issue separate messages, greeting Muslims in Bangladesh and all over the world on the occasion of Eid-ul- Azha.
The President will exchange greetings with the people of all strata of lives at Bangabhaban while the Prime Minister will also exchange Eid greetings with the people at the Ganabhaban on the day.
Besides, Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament Begum Rawshan Ershad, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, leaders of other political, socio-cultural organizations will greet the countrymen on the Eid occasion. The government has taken elaborate programmes to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha across the country with due solemnity and religious fervour. The country will enjoy a six-day holiday along with the weekly holidays on Friday and Saturday. The government, however, declared earlier a four-day public holiday from Sunday.
The capital’s main Eid congregation will be held at the National Eidgah at 8.00 am to be attended by President Abdul Hamid and other dignitaries along with hundreds of people. Special arrangements have been made for women to offer Eid prayers at the National Eidgah. Over 100 thousands, including 5000 women, will be able to offer Eid prayer at the Eidgah. According to Islamic Foundation, five Eid congregations will be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 7 am, 8 am, 9 am, 10 am and at 10.45 am respectively. The biggest Eid congregation will be held, as usual, at Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj at 9 am amid intensified security vigil. The authorities concerned have taken strict measures to ensure public safety. Jalal Uddin Ahmed, Assistant Inspector General (media wing of police headquarters) said that about 1:50 lakh members of law enforcement agencies, including anti-crime elite force and plainclothes detectives would be looking after the security on the Eid occasion. “Besides, closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) will be been installed surrounding the important Eidgah grounds while bomb disposal units and dog squads will remain active to ensure security in and around the congregation areas,” he said. Referring to the untoward incident during the Eid-ul-Fitr, he said a foolproof special security measure would be ensured in and around Sholakia Eidgah grounds.
Over 400 Eid congregations – 220 jamaats in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and 180 others in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) will be held in the capital. Meanwhile, thousands of people are leaving the capital and other major cities to celebrate Eid with their near and dear ones in the countryside.
Railway stations were seen overcrowded for the last few days as were bus and launch terminals as holidaymakers heading for their destinations. Makeshift cattle markets in the city and elsewhere have been witnessing a rush of buyers for sacrificial animals. Newspaper offices would also remain closed for three days until September 14. State-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar and other TV channels and radio stations would broadcast special programmes on the Eid. The national flag would be flown atop government and private buildings and roadside poles to mark the festival. City corporations and district and upazila administrations have also drawn similar programmes to celebrate Eid.
On the day, improved diets will be served at government hospitals, prisons, orphanages, safe homes and shelter centers.
