Muslims in Bangladesh are celebrating the Eid-ul-Azha on Wednesday with attending prayer congregations and the ritual of slaughtering animals which symbolises sacrifice.
The slaughtering of cattle commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son at Allah's command.
Hundreds of thousands of Muslims offered prayers seeking divine blessings, peace and progress for the country.
The main congregation of Eid-ul-Azha was held at the National Eidgah at 8am, attended by President Md Abdul Hamid along with hundreds of people from all walks of life.
Heightened security measures were adopted for the congregations. Devotees had to go through a search by law enforcers before allowed to enter.
Police had asked devotees not to bring carry anything other than prayer mats and umbrellas. As every year, the Eidgah made separate arrangements for women attending the prayers.
The Baitul Mukarram National Mosque has organised five congregations from 7am to 10:45am.
Congregations were arranged at 409 locations in capital Dhaka —230, including the main congregation, under the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) while the rest 179 under Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).
On the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted the Muslim Ummah, including country’s people, in their separate messages.
In his message, the President said, “The exemplary love and sacrifice of Prophet Hazrat Ismail (As) for Allah should be reflected on our personal and social life, and this is how peace and amity can be established.”
Terming Bangladesh as an example of communal harmony, Abdul Hamid urged everyone to stay alert so that no one can create chaos through misinterpretation of religion.
In her message, the Prime Minister said every year Muslims establish the message of sympathy and equality by distributing meat of sacrificed animals among the poor and relatives.
Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj and Gor-e-Shaheed Baro Maidan in Dinajpur are hosting the country’s largest Eid congregations.