Bangladesh celebrates Eid-ul-Azha

Eid-ul-Azha, one of the biggest religious festivals of the Muslims, was celebrated across the country on Thursday with due solemnity, a sense of sacrifice and religious fervour.

After offering prayers at the eidgahs, devotee Muslims sacrificed animals.

Although the rains hampered Eid congregations and disrupted the process of sacrificing animals in many parts of the country, including the capital, the people observed the rituals of the day.

The main jamaat of Eid-ul-Azha in the capital was held at National Eidgah ground at 7:30am seeking peace, prosperity and well-being of the people of the country.

In the congregation, chief justice of the Bangladesh Supreme Court, a number of ministers, mayors of Dhaka's two city corporations, MPs, political leaders, senior government officials, diplomats from various Muslim countries and people of all walks of life offered Eid prayers.

Hafez Maulana Mufti Ruhul Amin, Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, led the congregation.

At the end of the prayers, special prayers were offered for the continued peace and development of the country, welfare of the people and greater unity of the Muslim Ummah.

Baitul Mukarram national mosque has accommodated five Eid jamaats.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in separate messages, greeted the people of Bangladesh as well as the Muslims across the world on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Azha.

In his message, the President urged the affluent people of the country to stand by the people affected by hardships so that they can enjoy the Eid this year.

He also called upon citizens to sacrifice their animals in government designated places.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina extended greetings to all Muslims across the globe, including Bangladesh.

She hoped that like every year, this Eid will bring happiness and joy to all irrespective of the rich and the poor.

Sheikh Hasina prayed to Allah for continued peace, progress and prosperity of the country and the Muslims on the day.

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 across the country offered prayers in congregations and sacrificed animals in the name of Almighty Allah.

They offered munajat seeking divine blessings for peace, progress and prosperity of the country as well as welfare of the Muslim Ummah.

Law enforcement agencies have taken adequate measures to ensure law and order across the country, including the capital marking the Eid-ul-Azha.

State-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar as well as other TV channels and radio stations broadcast special programmes on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Azha.

On the Eid day, improved diets were served to inmates of government hospitals, prisons, orphanages, safe homes and shelter centres.