DHAKA: The largest religious festival of Islam Eid-ul-Azha was celebrated across the country Monday with due solemnity, rituals and festive mood.
Muslims began the day with offering Eid prayers in congregations in the morning. The prayers are followed by the sacrifice of animals to the Almighty Allah.
The first Eid prayer was held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the city at 7:00am.
During the prayers, the devotees offered munajat seeking divine blessings for peace, progress and prosperity of the country as well as welfare of the Muslim Ummah.
Eid prayer was also held at Bashundhara Residential Area at 7:00am. Devotees were seen offering the sacrifice of animals there after the prayer.
The city’s main Eid congregation was held at the National Eidgah Maydan at 8.30am with special arrangements for women there.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina exchanged Eid greetings with the people of all walks of life including the foreign envoys at her official residence Ganabhaban in the morning on the day.
Several millions people celebrated the Eid with their near and dear ones at the countryside, leaving the capital Dhaka and other major cities for home.
On the occasion, President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Begum Raushan Ershad, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, in separate messages, greeted the Muslims in Bangladesh and elsewhere of the world.
State-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar and other satellite TV channels and private radio stations aired special programs on Eid.
City corporations and district and upazila administrations took programs to celebrate Eid.
Improved diets were served at government hospitals, prisons, orphanages, safe homes and shelter centers on the Eid day.
A three-day Eid holiday began on Sunday. Newspaper offices are closed till October 7.
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.
BDST: 0805 HRS, OCT 6, 2014
