Eid congregations have been scheduled in Dhaka and all divisional cities as the country prepares to celebrate the holy Eid-ul-Azha on Saturday.
As in previous years, the main Eid congregation will be held at the National Eidgah adjacent to the High Court at 7:30am.
The congregation will be attended by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, members of the Advisory Council, justices of the Supreme Court, political figures and people from all walks of life.
The congregation will be led by Mufti Mohammad Abdul Malek, khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.
The National Eidgah ground has been prepared to accommodate approximately 35,000 worshippers.
Dhaka South City Corporation is responsible for overall management of the Eidgah.
Law enforcement agencies have taken strict security measures centering around the main Eid congregation.
In an announcement to worshippers, Shahjahan Mia, administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation, urged: "No devices or equipment that could pose a security threat should be brought to the Eidgah. Carrying prayer mats or water bottles is also not necessary."
According to the Islamic Foundation, five Eid congregations will be held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque this year—scheduled at 7am, 8am, 9am, 10am and 10:45am.
As in every year, the country’s largest Eid congregation will be held at Sholakia Eidgah Maidan in Kishoreganj.
The prayer will commence at 9am, led by Mawlana Abul Khair Md Saifullah, khatib of the city’s Boro Bazar Mosque.
In recent years, Dinajpur’s Gor-e-Shahid Boro Maidan has emerged as a major rival in terms of congregation size.
Organisers claim that 5,00,000 to 6,00,000 worshippers can gather on the 22-acre field.
The Eid congregation at Gor-e-Shahid will begin at 8.30am and will be led by Mawlana Md Mahfuzur Rahman.
The Meteorological Department has forecast temporary lightning or light to moderate rainfall in a few places of Chittagong, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions on Eid day.
City-wise Eid congregations
Dhaka
Five congregations will be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 7am, 8am, 9am, 10am and 10:45am.
Two congregations will take place at Dhaka University’s Central Mosque at 7:30am and 8:30am, while Salimullah Muslim Hall Mosque will host its Eid prayer at 7am.
Chittagong
The main Eid congregation will be held at Jamiatul Falah National Mosque at 7:30am, led by Khatib Syed Alauddin Abu Taleb Mohammad Alauddin Al Qaderi.
A second congregation will follow at 8:30am.
Additional congregations will be held at various city mosques including Laldighi Shahi Jame Mosque, Chashma Eidgah Mosque, Sugandha Residential Area Mosque and others, all at 7:30am.
Rajshahi
The main Eid congregation will be held at 7:30am at the Hazrat Shah Makhdum (R) Central Eidgah.
If the weather is unfavorable, an alternative prayer will be held at Shah Makhdum (R) Dargah Jame Mosque at 8am.
Khulna
The main congregation will be held at Circuit House Ground at 7:30am.
In case of inclement weather, it will be relocated to Khulna Town Jame Mosque at the same time.
Two additional prayers will be held there at 8:30am and 10am.
Another prayer will be held at 7am at the Model Mosque near Khulna Alia Madrasa.
Barisal
The principal congregation will be held at 7:30am at the central Eidgah ground on Hemayetuddin Road.
Simultaneously, another will take place at the Model Mosque and Islamic Cultural Center at Amtala Mor.
The Charmonai Darbar Sharif congregation will be held at 9am, led by Pir Mufti Syed Mohammad Rezaul Karim.
Other local mosques will host prayers at 8am and 9am.
Sylhet
The main Eid congregation will be held at 8am at the Shahi Eidgah, led by Mufti Junaid Ahmad, Imam of Bandarbazar Central Jame Mosque.
Three congregations will be held at Qudrat Ullah Jame Mosque at 7am, 8am and 9am.
Anjuman-e-Khedmat-e-Quran will organize a congregation at 7:30am at the Government Alia Madrasa ground.
Rangpur
The principal congregation will be held at the Collectorate Eidgah ground at 8am, led by Mawlana Md Bayezid Hossain, khatib of Keramatia Jame Mosque.
Prayer times have been scheduled at 5,090 mosques and Eidgahs across the district.
Mymensingh
The main congregation will take place at Anjuman Eidgah ground at 7:30am, with a second at 8:30am.
In the city, prayers will also be held at Boro Mosque at 8am and at Madani Noor Markaz Mosque ground at 7am and 8:30am.
