Eid celebrations on despite rain
Dhaka: After early morning special Eid prayers in mosques and other outdoor locations, Muslims across the country started celebrating the Eid-ul-Fitr in full gear greeting each other saying ‘Eid Mubarak’.
Back from prayers amid rains, they are now visiting friends, relatives, neighbours and elders of the families.
These activities will continue for three days as the country is enjoying public holidays. The three-day celebrations come after a month-long dawn-to-dusk fasting.
Earlier, people exchanged gifts, while young women have had their palms and hands drawn with beautiful with henna.
Before offering the Eid prayers, Muslims gave out charity known as ‘Fitra’. Along with that some people who earn above the certain limit are entitled they gave give 2.5 per cent of their income to the needy, which is known as ‘zakat’ and is obligatory.
Meanwhile, millions of city dwellers left the capital and other major cities to celebrate the Eid with their near and dear ones at their homes in village.
As usual, the largest Eid congregation was held at Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj district at 10:00am with lakhs of Muslims offering prayers seeking divine blessings, peace and progress for the country.
In the capital, the main Eid congregation was held at the National Eidgah near the High Court at 8:30am. President Abdul Hamid joined the Eid jamaat (congregation).
Cabinet members, judges of the Supreme Court, members of parliament, senior political leaders and high civil and military officials also offered prayers at the main Eid jamaat held at 8:30 am amid drizzle.
Khatib of Jamiatul Falah Jame Mosque of Chittagong Prof Maulana Jalaluddin Al Qaderi conducted the Eid prayers.
A special munajat (prayer) was offered seeking divine blessings for peace and progress of the country and the welfare of its people.
After the prayers, President Abdul Hamid exchanged eid greetings with the devotees.
The eid Jamaat was held under the auspices of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
Special arrangements were also made for women to offer their eid prayers at the National Eidgah.
Law enforcement agencies, including the President’s Guard Regiment, Dhaka Metropolitan Police and the elite force Rab, provided a tight security in the areas around the Eidgah.
Earlier on his arrival at the eidgah, the president was received by DSCC mayor Sayeed Khokon.
Besides, five congregations were held at 7:00am, 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:00am and 11:00am at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. Eid congregations were also held in Eidgahs, mosques and open spaces across the country.
Meanwhile, the people of 40 villages in Chandpur and 30 villages in Chittagong and nine villages in Dinajpur, and some other parts of the country celebrated the Eid on Friday in line with Saudi Arabia.