Bangladesh is celebrating Eid-ul-Azha on Thursday with religious fervour and festivity.
Muslims across the country are observing the festival in the spirit of devotion, sacrifice and submission to the will of Almighty Allah.
Eid congregations were held at Eidgahs and mosques nationwide in the morning, where devotees offered prayers and sought divine blessings.
Religious scholars and khateebs delivered sermons highlighting the significance of Qurbani and the values of sacrifice, compassion and obedience in Islam.
Following the prayers, people exchanged Eid greetings, strengthening the bonds of unity and brotherhood.
The first congregation of Eid-ul-Azha was held at the capital’s Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 7am on Thursday, with thousands of worshippers offering prayers in a festive and solemn atmosphere.
The congregation was led by Senior Pesh Imam Hafez Mufti Maulana Mizanur Rahman, while mosque muezzin Qari Ishaq served as the muqabbir.
A total of five Eid congregations have been scheduled at the National Mosque this year. According to the schedule, the second congregation was set for 8am, the third at 9am, the fourth at 10am and the fifth and final congregation at 10:45am.
The second congregation was scheduled to be led by Dr Maulana Waliur Rahman Khan, director (routine responsibilities) of the Zakat Fund Department at the Islamic Foundation. The third congregation was to be led by Islamic Foundation Mufti Md Abdullah.
Maulana Mohammad Noor Uddin, deputy director (additional responsibility) of the Religious Invitation and Culture Department of the Islamic Foundation, was scheduled to lead the fourth congregation, while Imam Training Academy religious instructor Zubair Ahmed Al-Azhari was set to lead the final congregation.
Islamic Foundation Assistant Librarian Md Shahidul Islam was designated as the alternate imam in case of the absence of any scheduled imam.
Muslims later performed Qurbani, sacrificing animals in remembrance of the devotion of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), who was willing to sacrifice his son Hazrat Ismail (AS) in obedience to Allah’s command.
According to Islamic belief, Almighty Allah later replaced Hazrat Ismail (AS) with a sacrificial animal, symbolizing unwavering faith and sacrifice.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman greeted the nation on the occasion.
The main Eid congregation in the capital was held at the National Eidgah adjacent to the High Court premises. The president, prime minister, judges, diplomats, political leaders and people from different professions attended the prayers there.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) tightened security in and around the National Eidgah to ensure a peaceful celebration of Eid.
State-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar, along with private television channels, are broadcasting special programmes marking the occasion.
Special meals are also being served at hospitals, orphanages, prisons and child care centres.
