DHAKA:  Eid-ul-Azha, the largest religious festival of Islam, will be celebrated across the country on Monday with due solemnity, rituals and festive mood.

The day will begin with offering Eid prayers in congregations by the devotees in the morning. The prayers will be followed by the sacrifice of animals to the Almighty Allah.

In the prayers, Muslims will offer munajat seeking divine blessings for peace, progress and prosperity of the country as well as welfare of the Muslim Ummah.

On the day, according to the religion, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) offered his son Hazrat Ismail (AS) for sacrifice as being asked by the Almighty Allah. But the Almighty in His benign mercy spared Ismail (AS) and sent a lamb instead.

Since then, Eid-ul-Azha has been celebrating on the 10th of Zilhajj month of the Hizri calendar.

Meanwhile, several millions of people have already left capital Dhaka and other major cities for home to celebrate the Eid with their near and dear ones.

A three-day Eid holiday has begun on Sunday. Newspaper offices are closed for three days till October 7.

State-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar and other satellite TV channels and private radio stations are broadcasting special programs on Eid.

Newspapers have published special supplements on the occasion.

On the occasion, President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Begum Raushan Ershad, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia issued separate messages to greet the Muslims in Bangladesh and elsewhere of the world.

The Prime Minister will exchange Eid greetings with the people of all walks of life including the foreign envoys at her official residence Ganabhaban in the morning.

The city’s main Eid congregation will be held at the National Eidgah Maydan at 8.30am with special arrangements for women there.

However, city corporations and district and upazila administrations have taken programs to celebrate Eid.

Improved diets will be served at government hospitals, prisons, orphanages, safe homes and shelter centers on the Eid day.

BDST: 1120 HRS, OCT 5, 2014