The country celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival in the country, with fervour and festivity despite an overcast weather and rain all over the country.
People from all walks of life were seen braving the rain and appearing at their local Eidgahs – special grounds for Eid prayers – early in the morning donning new clothes to perform the special prayers. Irrespective of their social standings, they embraced each other in greetings.
On Eid day, people needed no invitation to visit each other’s houses to exchange greetings, and the president, the prime minister and the leader of the main political opposition were no exception.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s official residence Gonobhaban was opened at 9am to greet a throng of visitors, who stood in queues for hours to exchange Eid greetings with a smiling Hasina.
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia exchanged and rain
greetings with well-wishers at Bangabandhu International Convention Centre, on her feet for hours to share the joy of Eid despite her knee problems.
Hasina and Khaleda exchanged Eid greetings with each other, but through messengers.
President Abdul Hamid joined Cabinet members, major political leaders and prominent members of society at the Central Eidgah in the capital for Eid prayers despite heavy rain. The congregation saw a huge number of people from all walks of life as well.
Holiday mood in offices
After a three-day Eid holiday, government and non-governmental offices, banks and newspaper offices reopened yesterday with very thin attendance of officers and staff as the holiday mood still prevails.
Visiting the Bangladesh Secretariat, the administrative hub of the country, and several government offices, it was found that the attendance was remarkably thin as many officials and employees were enjoying optional holidays, the UNB reported.
Besides, the presence of ministers and state ministers in their offices were relatively low as some of them were still in their hometowns. Those who attended their offices were seen exchanging Eid greetings and pleasantries with their colleagues.
Newly appointed Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, who assumed office yesterday, said many officers and employees were enjoying optional leave as the Eid vacation this year was comparatively shorter than usual.
It will take four or five days more for the offices to go back to their normal state, he said.
The three-day Eid holiday fell on the weekend this year.
