Eid-ul-Azha is being celebrated in different Bangladesh districts on Friday, a day before the country is set to celebrate the festival, in conformity with Saudi Arabia and other Middle East countries.
Similar to that of Eid-ul-Fitr this year, the congregations were held only inside the mosques in line with the government directive to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
In Madaripur, Eid is being celebrated by around 150,000 people of 30 villages in four upazilas, confirmed Pir Shaheb of Sureshwar Darbar Sharif and President of the International Moon Sighting Committee, Alhajj Syed Noor Akter Hossain.
Eid is being celebrated by followers of Sureshwar Darbar Sharif in Kalikapur, Talluk, Mohisherchar, Jajira, Jafrabad, Bagerchar, Katla, Chargobindapur, and other villages in his union.
In Chandpur, 40 villages of Hajiganj, Faridganj, Matlab North, Kachua and Sharasti upazilas are celebrating Eid.
Union Parishad Member Md Shafikur Rahman of Sadra village in Hajiganj upazila on Thursday, said the Eid congregation will be held in the village mosques from 7:30am.
The main congregation of Eid-ul-Azha is set to be held at 10am at Peer Mawlana Isahak Saheber Darbar Sharif Jame Mosque in Shadra village of Hajiganj upazila following government directives, said the incumbent Pir Md Arif Chowdhury of the darbar sharif.
Late Maulana Ishaque introduced the practice of Eid celebration in Chandpur in line with the celebration in Saudi Arabia in 1931.
In Lakshmipur, the followers of Maulana Ishaque in Noagaon, Joypura, Bigha, Dakhshinpara in Ramganj upazila, Kolakopa in Raipur upazila and Boshikpur, Purpa Panchpara and Mohadebpur in sadar upazila are celebrating the Eid.
In Munshiganj, followers of Jahagir Tarika of Chittagong's Satkainia arranged Eid congregation in Majhikandi village of Adhara union. Moreover, 70-80 families from different parts of the union held congregations at 10:30am.
Another congregation was held at Malkanagar village in Malkanagar union of Sirajdikahn upazila.
In Jhenaidah, around hundred locals of different parts of Harinakundu upazila are celebrating Eid.
The main congregation at Chatkabaria Eidgahpara Jame Mashjid [mosque] in the upazila was led by the mosque's Imam Rezaul Islam.
For a long time these families in Chithalipara, Bhalki, Baithapara, Falsi and a few other villages in the upazila have been celebrating Eid in conformity with Saudi Arabia with religious ferour.
In Lalmonirhat, around 500 people of three unions in Kaliganj upazila took part in Eid prayers and performed animal sacrifice as per its ritual in the morning.
Kaliganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rabiul Hasan said people of Sundrahabi, Botla and Pani Khaoar Ghat areas are celebrating Eid in conformity with Saudi Arabia like the previous years. "Police took steps to ensure that the health directives are followed amid the coronavirus situation."
Worshippers said they are followers of Ahl-e Hadith and have been celebrating Eid in this way since 2012 or 2013 as per directions from the local religious leaders.
The government urged Muslim devotees to avoid Eidgah or other open places for Eid congregations and offer prayers at mosques maintaining recommended health advice.
