The National Eidgah ground in Dhaka, the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, the Sholakia Eidgah ground in Kishoreganj and all mosques and grounds of the country are ready to hold the Eid-ul-Fitr congregations amid festivity.
Hundreds of thousands of people left Dhaka for home by motorcycle, bus, train and air on Thursday while the highways saw huge crowds due to traffic gridlocks.
Dhaka streets had a deserted look on Thursday, but many people were seen completing last-minute purchases at shopping centres and kitchen markets. People also complained about local buses overcharging passengers in Dhaka.
On the other hand, motorcycle riders got the scope of crossing the Padma Bridge on Thursday for the first time since last year, and long queues were observed at the toll plazas in the Mawa part.
All the bus stations in Dhaka saw fewer passengers on Thursday, though the Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-Tangail highways were crowded with vehicles.
The National Moon Sighting Committee will sit on Friday to decide the date of Eid. The meeting will be presided over by State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan at 6:45pm (after Maghrib) at Islamic Foundation Baitul Mukarram Hall.
Altogether five Eid congregations will be held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the capital, beginning at 7am.
The authorities have arranged space for around 35,000 devotees (male and female) at the main Eid Jamaat to be held at the National Eidgah adjacent to the High Court. The first Jamaat will be held at 8:30am.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have greeted the people of the country as well as Muslims across the world on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the biggest religious festivals of the Muslim Ummah.
They issued separate messages on Thursday praying for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the country, the Muslim Ummah, interfaith harmony and global peace.
In his message, the president said that after the month-long fasting and moderation, Eid has come to the people with the message of immense happiness and joy, BSS reported.
Forgetting all differences on this day, people of all classes and professions join in one row and share the joy of Eid, he said, adding that Eid builds bonds of amity, harmony and unity among all.
Islam is a religion of peace and welfare, he said, adding that Islam embraces universal welfare, including human values, mutual coexistence, tolerance and equality.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her message said: "Eid teaches a unique lesson of peace, sympathy and brotherhood.”
Forgetting hatred and violence, people are bound by the bonds of equality, friendship and harmony (on this day), she said, adding that Eid brings a message of joy in the life of everyone irrespective of rich and poor.
The premier urged all to avoid all kinds of injustice, lawlessness, violence and superstition to establish the spirit of Islam at all levels of individual, social and national life in the country.
