DHAKA:  As Eid vacation begins Thursday, holidaymakers have already started leaving the capital by their thousand for their village homes to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with family and friends.

Braving lots of sufferings, the homebound people collected bus, launch and train tickets on the eve of the Eid, likely on September 10 or the day after (Saturday).

City shopping centres are doing a brisk business amid a buying binge at the fag-end of Ramadan as people are seen busy in the last-minute shopping.

Meanwhile, all departments of the police have been put on the alert in the capital city to maintain law and order during the Eid holiday, as all are agog to celebrate the big Muslim festival.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner AKM Shahidul Haque informed police members are working sincerely to ensure people’s safety.  

The government has undertaken elaborate programme for the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr, coming at the end of month-long daytime fasting and abstinence.

President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages greeting the country’s people on the auspicious occasion.

The main Eid congregation will be held at the National Eidgah on the Supreme Court premises at 8:30am. In case of inclement weather, the main prayer session will be held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at the same time. Separate arrangements will be made for women.

The national flag will be hosted atop government and non-government establishments.

On the occasion, the main streets and road islands from Banani-Dhaka Gate to Bangabhaban in the capital will be decorated with banners inscribed with the words `Eid Mubarak` in Bengali and Arabic languages.

Certain public buildings will be illuminated on the Eid night.

Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private TV channels will air special programmes and newspapers publish special supplements on Eid-ul-Fitr. Improved diets will be served at different hospitals, jails, government child homes, vagrant welfare centres and distressed homes.

Moreover, films consistent with government policy will be screened in different places and cultural programmes arranged in different parts of the city.

Divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, UNOs or local-government institutions will hold programmes in consistency with the national programmes.

Foreign missions abroad will also celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr in the light of government programme.

BDST : 1845 HRS, SEP 08, 2010