Muslims in Bangladesh celebrated Eid-ul-Azha, one of the biggest religious festivals, with due solemnity and fervour on Sunday.
Amid an upward trend of Covid infections and aftermath of devastating floods in different regions of the country, the festival was celebrated by sacrificing animals and distributing the meat among neighbours and the poor.
Commemorating the willingness of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), to sacrifice his beloved son Hazrat Ismail (AS) on the command of Almighty Allah, Muslims across the country marked the day by offering prayers in congregations and slaughtering animals - cows, sheep and goats - in the name of Allah.
ALSO READ - In pictures: Muslims in Bangladesh celebrate Eid-ul-Azha
Meanwhile, President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted their fellow Muslims in Bangladesh and across the world on the eve of the holy Eid-ul-Azha issuing separate messages.
The main Eid congregation was held at the National Eidgah in Dhaka at 8:00am.
Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique, cabinet members, lawmakers, judges of Appellate and High Court divisions, politicians, senior government officials and diplomats, among others, joined the main congregation.
Maulana Mufti Ruhul Amin, who conducted the prayers, offered munajat seeking divine blessings for peace, progress and prosperity of the country as well as welfare of the Muslims.
President Abdul Hamid offered the prayers of Eid-ul-Azha along with his family members at the Hallway of Bangabhaban at 8:30am.
Due to the upsurge of Covid cases in the country, he did not attend the traditional Eid prayers at the National Eidgah.
Like every year, five Eid congregations were held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.
The first of the five congregations was held at 7:00am. The second, third and fourth congregations took place at 8:00am, 9:00am, and 10:00am respectively. The last one of the day was held at 10:45am.
Eid congregation was also held at the historic Sholakia ground in Kishoreganj this year after remaining suspended for the last two years due to Covid pandemic. The congregation was held at 9:00am.
Earlier, the government issued a circular with eight instructions, including maintaining health rules during the prayers.
Adequate security measures were taken for peaceful and smooth celebration of the holy Eid-ul-Azha.
State-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar as well as other TV channels and radio stations broadcast special programmes on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Azha.
On the day, improved diets were served to inmates of government hospitals, prisons, orphanages, safe homes and shelter centers.
Both Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) took massive programmes for quick disposal of sacrificial animals and cattle market wastes.
