Muslims throughout the country are celebrating Eid-ul-Azha with solemnity, the second biggest religious festival.
Devotees thronged Eidgahs to offer prayers in the morning. They sought divine blessings and prayed for peace and prosperity of the country.
Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj and Gor-e-Shaheed Baro Maidan in Dinajpur held the country’s biggest Eid congregations like previous years.
In Dhaka, the biggest congregation was held at the National Eidgah where President Abdul Hamid offered his prayers along with people from all walks of life.
Congregations were also held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque and various places in the capital.
Law enforcement agencies, including Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and police, have taken tight security measures.
Television channels and radio stations are airing special programmes on the occasions. Special diets will be served at hospitals, jails, government orphanages, centres for persons with disabilities, shelter homes and vagrant and destitute welfare centres.
The Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated on the 10th of Zilhajj month of the Hizri calendar as Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), on this day, some 4,500 years ago, offered to sacrifice his beloved son Hazrat Ismail (AS) who willingly submitted to the will of his father to please Allah. But the Almighty in His benign mercy spared Hazrat Ismail (AS) and instead sent a ram to be sacrificed.
To commemorate this historic event, the Muslims across the country will offer prayers in congregations and sacrifice animals in the name of Almighty Allah. They will offer munajat seeking divine blessings for peace, progress and prosperity of the country as well as welfare of the Muslim Ummah.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages, greeting the Muslims in Bangladesh and all over the world on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Azha.
President Hamid will exchange Eid greetings with the cross sections of people, including eminent citizens and diplomats at his official Bangabhaban residence on the day at 10:30 am, Bangabhaban sources said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will also exchange greetings with the cross sections of people, including party leaders and workers, judges and foreign diplomats, at her official Ganabhaban residence on the day from 10am to 11am.
The premier will exchange Eid greetings with judges, the cabinet secretary, the chiefs of the three services, foreign diplomats, senior secretaries, secretaries and other civil and military officials from 11am at the same venue.