Staff Reporter :Amid religious fervour and enthusiasm after a month-long fasting, the holy Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival of the Muslims, will be celebrated across the country on Wednesday if the moon of Shawal month is sighted today (Tuesday). Otherwise, the holy Eid will be celebrated on Thursday.There are embrace, smiles, exchanges of ‘Eid Mubarak’ and affection galore as Muslims, men and women, dressed in their best celebrate the festival in the joy of the occasion.But the terror attack at Holey Artisan Bakery in city’s Gulshan that left at least 28 people dead unleashed an outpouring of grief in the country.Though the three-day public holiday will begin today (Tuesday) on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Fitr, the government service-holders are enjoying an extended nine-day holidays as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared July 4 as holiday by an executive order.July 4 was the only workday between the Eid holidays, weekends and holiday for Lailatul Qadr. The declaration of the day as a public holiday paved the way for a nine-day vacation, effectively starting from July 1.President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Begum Raushan Ershad issued separate messages greeting the people on the very auspicious occasion. A meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee will be held today (Tuesday) in the conference room of Islamic Foundation at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque complex here.The meeting will be held to review the news of moon sighting of the holy month of Shawal and fix the date of Eid-ul-Fitr of 1437 Hijri, said an Islamic Foundation press release.Religious Affairs Minister and Chairman of the National Moon Sighting Committee Principal Matiur Rahman will preside over the meeting.Anybody having sighted the moon anywhere in Bangladesh on Tuesday is requested to instantly inform the committee over telephone, fax or any other means. The telephone numbers are: 9559493, 9559643, 9555947 and 9556407. The fax numbers are: 9563397 and 9555951.All preparations for holding the Eid congregations and celebrations have been completed in capital Dhaka and elsewhere across the country. Since Monday, braving all sort of odds thousands of people started leaving Dhaka for their respective villages to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with their near and dear ones. The largest Eid congregation will be held at Sholakia Eidgah Maidan in Kishoreganj district. Lakhs of devotees will offer prayers there seeking divine blessings, peace and progress of the country. In the capital, the main Eid congregation will be held at the National Eidgah on the High Court premises at 8:30am. Besides, five congregations will be held at the national mosque Baitul Mukarram.The first one will be held at 7:00am, the second at 8:00am, the third at 9:00 am, the fourth at 10:00am and the fifth at 10: 45am.Jatiya Eidgah is ready to hold the main Jamaat of Eid-ul-Fitr. Almost all necessary preparations have been completed by Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) to facilitate the holding of Eid congregation. “A big canopy has already been fixed over the ground with appropriate number of fans and lights. Mats will be rolled out on the ground once the Shawal moon is sighted,” said Begum Sahina Khatun, Regional Executive Officer of DSCC.Special security measures have been taken over the area as the President, cabinet members, judges and diplomats are scheduled to offer their prayers there, she added.”Close-circuit (CC) cameras are being set up in the area. Dog squad members will sweep the ground for any kind of explosives. High technology metal detector will also be used for searching,” said Sahina Khatun.Temporary camp of law enforces will be set up to ensure adequate security in the Eidgah, she said, adding arrangements have also been made for women to say Eid prays at one side of the Eidgah, with a separate entrance.In case of inclement weather, the main jamaat will be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 9:00am, she addedThe National Flag will be hoisted atop government, non-government office buildings and other important establishments on the day. The main city streets and road islands will be decorated with the national flags and banners inscribed with ‘Eid Mubarak’ in Bangla and Arabic.National flags and flags inscribed with “Eid Mubarak’ will also be installed at important traffic islands and light posts in Dhaka city.Besides, designated government offices and other establishments would be illuminated on the night following the day of Eid-ul-Fitr.Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private television channels will air special programmes and newspapers publish supplements highlighting the signioficance of Eid-ul-Fitr. Improved diets will be served in hospitals, jails and orphanages.City Corporations will remain open the Children Parks, allowing free entry of all visitors on occasion of Eid.The day will also be observed in Bangladesh missions abroad in a befitting manner.Bangladesh Railway will operate two pairs of Solakia special train on Bhoirab-Kishoreganj-Bhoirab and Mymensingh-Kishoreganj-Mymensingh routes on the day for carrying the passengers to and from the Sholakia Eidgah Maidan.Divisional, district and upazila administrations and local government bodies have taken preparations in their respective areas to observe the Eid-ul-Fitr.
