Thousands of people from 13 villages under Boalmari and Alfadanga upazilas in Faridpur are set to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha on Saturday in line with Saudi Arabia and other Middle-East countries.
Mahidul Haque, an assistant professor at Alfadanga Government Degree College, who coordinates the Eid celebrations in advance, confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune.
“From our ancestors, we are followers of Hazrat Yasin Ali (Rah.), who was baptized by Mirzakhil Pir of Kolkata. We, the followers of Mirzakhil Pir, observe fasting, Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha prayers in harmony with Saudi Arabia,” he added.
He further said that there are a total of 3,000 followers of Pir of Rangunia who don’t want to follow the rules of the new generation.
“This time three congregations will be held at Sasrail, Maitkumra and Rakhaltali. The main congregation will gather at Rupapat High School ground at 10:30am. The worshipers of Alfadanga village will also come to Sasrail and perform the Eid prayer,” Mahidul said.
Abul Kalam Azad, former chairman of Shekhar Union Parishad, said it was their long-standing tradition.
“Some people have long observed Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha in keeping pace with Saudi Arabia. They offer sacrifices on this day and distribute sacrifical animal’s meat to each other’s houses,” he mentioned.
Boalmari Upazila Chairman and Upazila Awami League President MM Mosharraf Hossain Musha Mia also said that most of the people in about 13 villages of the upazila observe Eid in advance in line with Saudi Arabia.