Eid-ul-Fitr to be celebrated Thursday
Dhaka: Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of Muslims, will be celebrated in the country on Thursday with much enthusiasm after a month-long fasting.
The day's programmes will begin with the offering of Eid prayers by the male members of Muslim families at mosques and Eidgahs throughout the country.
After the prayers, they, irrespective of their social status, will embrace and greet each other with Eid Mubarak (have a blessed Eid) by demonstrating a serene show of unity, fraternity and equality.
The Muslims wearing new clothes will also visit the houses of their relatives and friends and exchange greetings in a festive mood, keeping with its spirit of fellow feeling.
Earlier on Tuesday, the National Moon Sighting Committee at a meeting decided that the Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Thursday after reviewing the information of sighting of the Shawwal moon.
Meanwhile, thousands of people, responding to the pull of roots, have already left the capital to celebrate the very auspicious occasion with their near and dear ones at their village homes.
Besides, all preparations have been completed across the country, including the capital Dhaka and Sholakia in Kishoreganj, for the smooth holding of Eid congregations.
The largest Eid congregation will be held at Sholakia Eidgah of Kishoreganj district at 10am when lakhs of Muslims will offer prayers seeking divine blessings, peace and progress for the country and the Muslim Ummah.
In the capital, the main Eid congregation will be held at the National Eidgah near the High Court at 8:30am. President Abdul Hamid is expected to join the congregation.
In case of inclement weather, the main congregation will be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 9:00am, according to an official announcement.
Besides, five congregations will be held at 7 am, 8 am, 9 am, 10 am and 10:45 am at the National Mosque.
Arrangements will be there at the National Eidgah and the National Mosque for the women to take part in the Eid prayers alongside their male counterparts.
Law enforcement agencies, including police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), will ensure security in and around the main Eid congregation.
Eid congregations will also be held in Eidgah, mosques and open spaces all over the country.
The national flag will be hoisted atop government and non-government office buildings on the day. The main city streets and road islands will be decorated with the national flags and banners inscribed with 'Eid Mubarak' in Bangla and Arabic.
Television channels and radio stations will telecast special programmes on the occasion. Special diets will be served in hospitals, jails, government child families, Chotomoni Nibash, centres for persons with disabilities, shelter homes, orphanages, Vagrant Welfare and Destitute Welfare centres.
Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia have issued separate messages greeting the people on occasion.
In his message, the President said after a month-long siam practice, Eid-ul-Fitr brings messages of pure joy and pleasure for the mankind.
‘Eid builds ties of harmony, amity and unity among people of all classes and professions.’
He hoped the teachings of Eid-ul-Fitr will inspire all in building a prosperous society which will be free from hunger and poverty.
In another message, the Prime Minister said Eid teaches all about peace, sympathy and brotherhood.
She called upon all to reflect the teachings of Eid in all spheres of personal, social and national life.
The prime minister expressed the hope that Eid will bring the message of joy for all irrespective of their economic status.
Hasina also prayed for continued development, progress and peace of Bangladesh as well as the Muslim Ummah.
In a separate message, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia prayed for happiness, peace, development and progress of the Muslim Ummah, including Bangladesh.
President Abdul Hamid will arrange a reception at Bangabhaban at 10 am on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Meanwhile, amid the growing sense of insecurity among people and foreigners following the Friday's Gulshan café terror attack and rumour of more attacks, the government has taken 'massive security measures' to ensure the peaceful celebrations of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Sources at the Police Headquarters said law enforcers are keeping sharp eyes on diplomatic zones and the places where foreigners and envoys of different countries reside, visit and hang on.
Besides, they have been asked to stay ready round the clock so that they can take prompt action if anyone tries to create any problem anywhere.
A good number of mobile teams of police and RAB are patrolling the big cities and important points to maintain law and order.