Bangladesh celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr with religious fervour
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus offered prayers along with hundreds of Muslims from all walks of life at National Eidgah
The holy Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of Muslims, is being celebrated in Bangladesh with religious fervour today (31 March).
It was confirmed that Eid would be celebrated today after the moon of Shawwal of 1446 Hijri was sighted in the sky of Bangladesh yesterday (30 March).
Thousands have already left Dhaka to celebrate Eid with their families in their village homes.
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The main Eid congregation and prayer was held at the National Eidgah grounds in the capital at 8:30am.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, alongside other Advisory Council members and government officials, attended the prayers at National Eidgah along with hundreds of Muslims from all walks of life and all corners of the city.
Later in the day, the chief adviser will exchange Eid greetings with dignitaries from different walks of life at the Chief Adviser's Office in Tejgaon from 4pm.
Noted personalities, including the chief justice, judges of the Supreme Court, senior political leaders, diplomats, and high-level civil and military officials also attended the prayers there.
The Eid jamaat at the National Eidgah was organised by Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). Special arrangements were made for women to offer Eid prayers at the National Eidgah.
Police and other law enforcement agencies have taken special security measures to ensure citizens' safety and law and order during Eid.
Meanwhile, five Eid jamaats (congregations) were held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque since the morning.
The first jamaat was held at 7am, the second at 8am, the third at 9am, and the fourth at 10am. The last jamaat is scheduled for 10:45am.
Besides, another Eid jamaat was at the old Dhaka International Trade Fair grounds in the city's Agargaon for the first time this year.
After the prayers, held at the same time as the main jamaat at National Eidgah, a Mughal-style colourful procession and a fair were held.
Chief Adviser Yunus yesterday issued a message greeting the countrymen as well as the Muslims across the world on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Television channels and radio stations are airing special programmes marking the occasion.
Besides, special meals are being served at hospitals, jails, government children's homes (Chotomoni Nibash), centres for persons with disabilities, shelter homes, orphanages, and vagrant and destitute welfare centres.
Many villages in multiple districts across the country celebrated Eid on Sunday (30 March), aligning with Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries.
Eid-ul-Fitr is an Arabic word meaning "festival of breaking of the fast".
The festival marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk during the holy month.
The occasion is seen as a time of forgiveness and giving thanks to Allah for helping people to complete their month-long spiritual fasting.
On the Eid day morning, Muslim devotees gather at mosques and prayer venues to perform Eid prayers and greet each other.
The festival is celebrated by visiting the residences of relatives and friends, hosting food parties, and sharing sweets.
Children not only get new clothes and shoes but also receive cash gifts called "Salami" from their elders, relatives, and well-wishers.
Many Muslims distribute cash and food to the less fortunate ones.
