Muslims across the country are going to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha tomorrow amid the fear over dengue outbreaks and limited access to healthcare services. The Eid-ul-Azha is one of the two most major celebrations of the Muslim community. This time, the festival comes after the recession of flood water in the country’s northern and north-eastern parts that supply most of the sacrificial animals. The Eid-ul-Azha literally means the Eid of sacrifice, sacrifice of selfishness, anger, and greed in exchange of virtue and satisfaction of the Lord. But the true spirit of the festival often ended in bare showcasing of pride and prejudice.
Like other years, Eid triggers home-going rush on the highways, railway and water vessels, that are already hit by schedule crash, long tailback, accidents and mismanagement. This year homegoers to northern districts struck on highway for hours after hours while south-eastern district goers are comparatively free from long tailback. The Railway Ministry following schedule collapse, announced new schedule that spelt tension and anger among the homegoers. Most of the trains left the Kamalapur station by 10/12 hours late. While holidaymakers are suffering tremendously on the highways, the Transport and Bridges Minister said vehicular movement was ‘normal but slow’. We urge the government to take sincere effort for easing the traffic with ensuring smooth journey to holidaymakers.
It’s true that — the flood affected people who are living under the open sky without adequate food, relief and other essentials, Eid would not bring any festivity to them. The farmers who have lost their crops and cattle due to flood, Eid would not bring any joy for them. People living under poverty line are also feeling helpless as they have to depend on the mercy of affluent people due to the high price of sacrificial animals. Moreover, hundreds of families who have lost their family members and relatives in extra judicial killings either in mob lynching, law enforcers’ shoot-out, or by criminals would be deprived of festivity. Amidst the national and international crises that affected Muslim Ummah in different parts of the globe, we hope this Eid will bring maximum happiness to all of them. The city corporations and municipalities should take timely initiatives to ensure cleanness after slaughtering sacrificial animals.
We like to convey our heartiest greetings to our valued readers, advertisers, patrons and other related persons on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha.
