The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The holy Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of the Muslims, will be celebrated across the country on Saturday with due solemnity, religious fervour and spirit of sacrifice.

Hundreds of thousands of people living in the major cities including the capital city of Dhaka have already started moving out for their ancestral homes to join their near and dear ones on the occasion. The homebound people are, however, facing difficulties due to transport shortage and traffic congestions, particularly in the city.

Trading in the cattle markets in the city and elsewhere in the country are gaining momentum ahead of the holy occasion. Rich people, for whom sacrifice of animals is obligatory in accordance with the religious guidelines, are now busy in buying sacrificial animals from cattle markets. Shopping centres and markets are also found crowded with the people busy with their last-minute shopping. On the 10th of Zilhaj about 4000 years ago, Prophet M Ibrahim (AS) offered to sacrifice his beloved son Hazrat Ismail (AS) for the satisfaction of Allah. But the Almighty in His kind mercy spared Ismail (AS) and instead sent a ram to be sacrificed by his father (Ibrahim).

To commemorate the historic event, Muslims all over the world slaughter animals and draw inspiration from the unique example of sacrifice to please the Almighty as shown by the two great prophets -- Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail (AS).

President Zillur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Begum Khaleda Zia in separate messages greeted the countrymen on the eve of the Eidu-Ul-Azha.

Leaders of other political parties and socio-cultural organisations also greeted the people.

The day's programme will begin with the offering of Eid prayers by millions of Muslims at mosques and eidgahs throughout the country seeking divine blessings for continued peace, progress and prosperity of the nation and Muslim Ummah.

Well-off Muslims will then sacrifice animals in the name of Allah and share the sacrificial meat with the poor, relatives and neighbours.

To mark the holy Eid-ul-Azha, the Muslims will visit relatives and friends to exchange Eid greetings, and offer sweets and delicious dishes to the visitors. Wealthy Muslims will donate generously to the poor on the occasion.

The main congregation of holy Eid-ul-Azha will be held at the National Eidgah at 9:00am.

Besides, five Eid jamaats will be held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 8:00am, 9:00 am, 10:00am, 11:00am and 11:45am respectively, according to Islamic Foundation sources.

In case of inclement weather, the second `jamaat' of the Baitul Mukarram will be treated as the main Eid congregation.

The government has drawn up elaborate programmes on the occasion that include the main Eid congregation at the National Eidgah in the capital, hoisting of national flags atop all government buildings, decoration of main roads and traffic islands with miniature flags and festoons inscribed with `Eid Mubarak'.

The government declared three-day public holiday which begins today.

Improved diets will be served in all prisons, children and vagrant centres and in hospitals and healthcare centres.

Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar as well as other satellite TV channels will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the holy occasion. National dailies will publish special supplements.

The government has taken special security measures to maintain law and order during the Eid-ul-Azha holidays.

DCC has taken steps to clear the garbage from the streets immediately after sacrifice of animals.

The Eid congregations at Jatiya Sangsad South Plaza will be held at 9:00am. Dhaka University central mosque will hold two jamaats at 8:30 am and 9:30 am. Eid Jamaat at DU Salimullah Muslim Hall mosque will be held at 8:30am and at Shahidullah Hall lawn at 9:00am.

Eid Jamaat at Moshurikhola Shah Saheb Bari Jame mosque at 8:30am, Lalmatia Masjid-e- Baitul Haram at 9:00am, Gulshan Central Mosque Eidgah at 9:00am.

Dewanbagh Darbar Sharif in Arambagh will hold three jamaats at 9:00am, 10:00am and 10:30am.

Eid congregations will be held at Masjid-e-Baitul Falah at 8:00am and 9:00am, East and West Ground, Gandaria at 9:00am, Sir Salimullah Muslim Etimkhana Math at 9:00am, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) at 8:00am and Agragami Sangsad, Khilgaon at 8:30am.

Meanwhile, Dhakabashi, will bring out 'Eid Rally' on Monday.