Bangladesh News

Thousands of home-goers flocked to the bus, railway and launch terminals in the capital yesterday, the last working day before the Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of the Muslims, to be celebrated tomorrow across the country.

Well-off Muslims will sacrifice animals and share the sacrificial meat with their relatives, neighbours and the poor commemorating Hazrat Ibrahim’s devotion to almighty Allah as illustrated by his readiness to give up his dearest son Hazrat Ismail.

Although the rush of homebound people at the city terminals started on Thursday evening, a good number of employees of government and non-government organisations left the capital after attending office yesterday.

Since most of the tickets of trains running on various routes had already been sold, bus operators increased the fares by 30-50 percent.

People even risked their lives by travelling on the roof of trains and buses plying different routes.

Billal Hossain, a worker at a printing press in the capital’s Pallabi, said he had to pay Tk 250 for a Dhaka-Bhola ticket previously sold for Tk 150.

The main streets and road islands in the capital will be decorated with banners inscribed with the words ‘Eid Mubarak.’

The main Eid congregation will be held at the National Eidgah on the Supreme Court premises at 8:00am. Besides, five Eid congregations will be held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 7:00am, 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:00am and at 11:00am.

In case of inclement weather, the congregation at the Baitul Mukarram to be held at 8:00am will be the main congregation, said a PID handout.

President Prof Iajuddin Ahmed, Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and other political leaders yesterday gave separate messages greeting the people on the occasion.

Heads of different diplomatic mission in the capital also greeted the Muslims on the holy Eid.

In his message, the president urged all to be imbued with the spirit of love and sacrifice demonstrated by Hazrat Ibrahim towards the Almighty and work together to establish peace and amity.

The chief adviser greeted the nation on the occasion and called upon all to strengthen the efforts to build a peaceful, tolerant and welfare-oriented society.

AL Chief Sheikh Hasina also greeted the people on the occasion. She however expressed concern over the price spiral of essentials saying that many will not be able to celebrate the festival in a proper way because of the high prices of essentials.

“We must stand beside the underprivileged and that will make the Eid meaningful,” she added.

Greeting the people, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia said, “We must rectify ourselves to uproot hatred and selfishness from the society and contribute to the welfare of the nation.”

She will exchange greetings with foreign diplomats from 10:00am to 11:00am and with party leaders and activists and eminent citizens from 11:00am to 12:00noon at Dhaka Lady’s Club auditorium in the capital’s Eskaton.

UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs David Miliband in a message said Eid-ul-Azha commemorates the sacrifice and steadfastness of the prophet Abraham, forefather of Muslims, Christians and Jews alike.

“These two qualities are ones that must guide what we do in our families, communities and in how we act in the world,” he added.

State-run Bangladesh Betar and BTV along with private television channels will broadcast special programmes on the occasion.

The national dailies have also brought out special supplements today highlighting the significance of Eid-ul-Azha.

Special meals will be served at jails, orphanages, vagrant centres and dormitories on the day.

The Shishu Park at Shahbagh will remain open from 3:00pm to 8:00pm tomorrow and from 11:00am to 7:00pm for three consecutive days following the Eid day, said a press release of Dhaka City Corporation.

Additional personnel of law enforcement agencies have been deployed at various points in the capital to ensure safety and security of passengers.