‘How will we survive this Eid?’ netizens want Mahfuzur Rahman to perform on Eid

For nearly a decade, Mahfuzur Rahman has been an Eid phenomenon. 

While he is known as the chairman and managing director of ATN Bangla, to millions of Bangladeshis, he is better recognised as a "singer."  

His annual Eid programmes — where he serenades audiences with his avant-garde performances — have become an inseparable part of the festivities. 

Love it or mock it, his music has been the conversation starter at countless Eid gatherings. But this year, the unthinkable has happened. 

Mahfuzur Rahman has announced that he will not be performing his traditional Eid concert this year, citing health concerns and a demanding schedule.

Mahfuzur Rahman will not sing on Eid this year

Fans and critics alike are now united in collective sorrow, with many lamenting, "How will we survive this Eid without his music?" 

"Eid without Mahfuzur feels… incomplete," some say, while others express sentiments like, "CA Yunus should request him to sing!"

Ever since the news broke, social media has been ablaze with reactions. Some are heartbroken, some are relieved, but most are treating the news as a national meme fest.  

One user dramatically wrote, "This is worse than finding out there's no beef in the biryani!"

Another added, "My ears were all set for their annual endurance test, and now… nothing? Just silence?"  

Many have taken the opportunity to poke fun at how integral Mahfuzur's music has become to Eid entertainment.  

"The second biggest shock for the nation. The first one is Hasina's escape," quipped one Facebook user, while another commented, "Apa [Sheikh Hasina] is gone, who will he sing for?" and some addressing it as "National emergency," as their "Eid is ruined." 

"No Mahfuzur, No Eid" 

While many are reeling from the shock of the announcement, others are worried about a more serious crisis — the loss of prime Eid entertainment material.

"Now what will we joke about during family gatherings?" asked a netizen. Another replied, "No Mahfuzur concert means we'll actually have to talk to relatives this year. Horrific!" 

Some are even treating this as the "worst possible plot twist of 2025."  

"We survived Covid. We survived inflation. But can we survive an Eid without Mahfuzur Rahman?" one user said.  

While most are making light of the situation, there are still a few hopeful souls. 

A handful of die-hard fans have started calling for a "protest."

"We demand at least one surprise song! Even a 30-second clip! Anything!" a desperate fan wrote. Another optimistically suggested, "Maybe he'll change his mind at the last moment. He wouldn't break our hearts like this, right?"  

Love him or laugh at him, Mahfuzur Rahman has carved a space in Bangladeshi pop culture like no other. His performances are not just about music — they are a "tradition," a source of joy, confusion, patience, nostalgia, and viral memes all wrapped into one.  

For years, his confidence, unique vocal style, and passionate performances have defied criticism and turned him into a "cultural legend."  

And now, in his absence, Bangladeshis are realising just how much they had come to expect — nay, "depend on" — his Eid performances.  

So, here's to Mahfuzur Rahman. Whether he sings this Eid or not, his legacy will live on in our hearts… and our social media memes.