Eid-ul-Azha being celebrated

Dhaka, Nov 28 -- around the country are celebrating Eid-ul-Azha, or Festival of Sacrifice, the second largest festival of the Muslim community.

Thousands upon thousands of people scrambled to get out of the capital of Dhaka to celebrate Eid with their near and dear ones at home.

A rush of commuters clogged the city's streets, ferries were full to bursting and trains crammed full. The police have taken special security measures in the capital. The Dhaka City Corporation has also taken initiatives to remove refuse of the sacrificial animals.

The main congregation of Eid-ul-Azha was held at the National Eidgah at 8am on Wednesday.
President Zillur Rahman, acting chief justice Mojammel Hossain, cabinet members, leaders of different political parties and diplomats along with thousands of common people said their Edi prayers at the main congregation.

Mohammad Salahuddin, khatib of Baitul Mukarram mosque will preside over the main congregation as the imam (priest).

The DCC made separate arrangements for women in the National Eidgah with separate entrances on the south side. Arrangements for ablutions and temporary toilets were set up at the Eidgah.

The National Mosque—Baitul Mukarram—held five prayers at 7am, 8am, 9am, 10am and 10:45am.

Dhaka University Central Mosque hosted two prayers. The first one was held at 7am and the second at 9am. Prayers were also held at 8am at Salimullah Muslim Hall Mosque and at the lawn of Shahidullah Hall.

The DCC arranged 361 congregations around the city in its 90 wards and another at the Dhaka University Sports Grounds.

The city was decorated beautifully on the occasion of the Eid. National flag was hoisted atop government and non-government offices including the Bangabhaban, prime minister's office, parliament building, secretariat and the High Court in the early hours of the Eid day.

Main city streets were also decorated with flags imprinted with 'Eid Mubarak' in Bengali and Arabic.

Like the preceding years, a special menu was served in hospitals, jails, state-owned children's shelter homes, other welfare centres, and shelter homes for the destitute.

President Zillur Rahman, prime minister Sheikh Hasina and main opposition BNP chief Khaleda Zia issued separate messages wishing peace and prosperity of the people of the country and the Muslim community all over the world.

President Rahman will exchange greetings with notable personalities and diplomats at presidential palace—Bangabhaban.

Hasina is exchanging Eid greetings at the prime minister's official residence—Ganabhaban—with central Awami League leaders, activists of different levels and well-wishers from 10am to 11am.