United News of Bangladesh

The 198th Eid-ul-Azha congregation at Sholakia Eidgah, one of the largest Eid gatherings in the country, was held at 9am on Saturday under tight security measures. Devotees from near and far began arriving at the vast ground from early morning, carrying prayer mats in groups to participate in the congregation. The Eid prayers were led by Mufti Abul Khayer Mohammad Saifullah, the Khatib of Boro Bazar Jame Mosque. Following the prayer, the Eid ‘Khutba’ was Del I've red , and special prayers were offered seeking peace and prosperity for Bangladesh and the Muslim Ummah. To facilitate the arrival of worshippers from distant areas, the railway authorities operated two special trains under the name ‘Sholakia Special’—one from Mymensingh and another from Bhairab. For security reasons, attendees were only allowed to carry prayer mats, caps, and face masks into the ground. A large number of volunteers and several medical teams were deployed at the venue to assist the devotees. Main Eid-ul-Azha congregation held at Jatiya Eidgah; CA Yunus attends Additional Deputy Commissioner Mizabe Rahman said, “The 198th Eid-ul-Azha congregation at Sholakia was held with the participation of thousands of devotees.” As per tradition, gunshots were fired as a signal before the prayer began—three shots 15 minutes prior, two shots 10 minutes before, and a final shot five minutes ahead of the prayer. Superintendent of Police for Dhaka Range, Mohammad Kazem Uddin, said that a multi-layered security system was in place during the event, comprising two platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), along with personnel from the police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Ansar. Additionally, plainclothes intelligence officers maintained vigilance, while CCTV cameras, watch towers, and police drones monitored the venue and its entry points. The Sholakia Eidgah was established in 1950 on seven acres of land, 4.35 acres of which were endowed by Dewan Mannan Dad Khan, a descendant of Dewan Hazrat Khan, the sixth-generation successor of the Masnad-e-Ala Isa Kha. According to local sources, the first Eid congregation at the ground was held in 1828, attended by around 125,000 worshippers—earning it the name ‘Showa Lakhia’, which eventually evolved into ‘Sholakia’.

Muslims across Bangladesh celebrated Eid-ul-Azha, one of the most significant religious festivals in Islam, on Saturday with religious fervour and enthusiasm. The main congregation was held at the Jatiya Eidgah on the High Court premises in the capital at 7:30am. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, members of the advisory council, judges from both divisions of the Supreme Court, and other dignitaries were present. Thousands of people from all walks of life, including political leaders, senior government officials, diplomats from Muslim countries, and ordinary citizens, joined the prayers. The Eid prayers was led by Hafez Maulana Mufti Mohammad Abdul Malek, Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, while Muhammad Habibur Rahman, Muazzin of the same mosque, served as the Qari. Sacrifice and Celebration: The spirit of Eid-ul-Azha lives on After the prayers, a special munajat was offered, seeking peace, prosperity, and good health for the nation. The chief adviser also sought prayers from the congregation for the welfare of the country and its people.

The Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA) has announced 19 shortlisted projects, including a Bangladeshi project, for the 2025 Award cycle. The projects will compete for a share of the $1 million prize, one of the largest in architecture. The 19 shortlisted projects were selected by an independent Master Jury from a pool of 369 projects nominated for the 16th Award Cycle (2023-2025), says a press release. Khudi Bari, in various locations in Bangladesh, by Marina Tabassum Architects, is a replicable solution for displaced communities affected by climatic and geographic changes, which can be easily disassembled and reassembled to adapt to the users' circumstances. The Aga Khan Award for Architecture was established by Prince Karim Aga Khan IV in 1977 to identify and encourage building concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of communities in which Muslims have a significant presence. Since it was launched 48 years ago, 128 projects have received the award and nearly 10,000 building projects have been documented. The AKAA’s selection process emphasises architecture that not only provides for people’s physical, social and economic needs, but that also stimulates and responds to their cultural aspirations, said the AKDN in its announcement from Geneva, Switzerland on June 5. Other shortlisted projects are from China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Kenya, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates. The Aga Khan Award for Architecture recognises examples of architectural excellence in the fields of contemporary design, social housing, community improvement and development, historic preservation, reuse and area conservation, as well as landscape design and improvement of the environment. Particular attention is given to building schemes that use local resources and appropriate technology in innovative ways and to projects likely to inspire similar efforts elsewhere. The Award not only rewards architects, but also identifies municipalities, builders, clients, master artisans and engineers who have played important roles in the project. The shortlisted projects have undergone rigorous reviews, at the site of each project, by independent experts, including architects, conservation specialists, planners and structural engineers. The Master Jury meets again this summer to examine the on-site reviews and determine the final recipients of the Award. The nine members of the independent Master Jury who selected the 19 shortlisted projects are: Azra Akšamija, Director, Art, Culture and Technology Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, United States of America; Noura Al Sayeh-Holtrop, Advisor for Heritage Projects, Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, Manama, Bahrain; Lucia Allais, Director, Buell Center, Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, New York, United States of America; David Basulto, Founder & Editor, ArchDaily, Santiago, Chile & Berlin, Germany; Yvonne Farrell, Visiting Professor, Academy of Architecture, Mendrisio, Switzerland; Founder and Partner, Grafton Architects, Dublin, Ireland; Kabage Karanja, Co-founder, Cave_bureau, Nairobi, Kenya; Assistant Professor of Architectural Design, Yale University, New York, United States of America; Yacouba Konaté, Professor of Philosophy, University Félix Houphouët Boigny of Abidjan-Cocody, Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Hassan Radoine, Director General, Citinnov SA for Integrated Territorial Planning and Smart Cities, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Rabat, Morocco; and Mun Summ Wong, Professor-in-Practice, Department of Architecture, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore; Co-founding Director, WOHA, Singapore. The Aga Khan Award for Architecture is governed by a Steering Committee chaired by the Aga Khan. The other members of the Steering Committee are Meisa Batayneh, Principal Architect, Founder, maisam architects and engineers, Amman, Jordan; Souleymane Bachir Diagne, Professor of Philosophy and Francophone Studies, Columbia University, New York, United States of America; Lesley Lokko, Founder & Director, African Futures Institute, Accra, Ghana; Gülru Necipoğlu, Director and Professor, Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States of America; Hashim Sarkis, Founder & Principal, Hashim Sarkis Studios (HSS); Dean, School of Architecture and Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States of America; and Sarah M. Whiting, Partner, WW Architecture; Dean and Josep Lluís Sert Professor of Architecture, Graduate School of Design, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States of America. Farrokh Derakhshani is the Director of the Award. For more information, please see the biographies of the Steering Committee.

Inspired by the spirit of sacrifice, Muslims across Bangladesh are celebrating the holy Eid-ul-Azha today, Saturday (June 7), in line with many countries around the world.  This is one of the most significant religious festivals of the Muslim community. Due to geographical positioning, Eid-ul-Azha is being celebrated in Bangladesh a day after countries like Saudi Arabia.  The festival is traditionally observed on the 10th of the lunar month of Zilhajj, following the conclusion of the Hajj rituals in Saudi Arabia. On this day, Muslims across the country perform the Eid congregational prayers in the morning and carry out the religious rite of Qurbani (animal sacrifice). If necessary, Qurbani may also be performed until the third day of Eid. Based on the sighting of the Zilhajj moon, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and most other Middle Eastern countries observed Eid on June 6.  Eid-ul-Azha: Bangladesh gears up for sacred celebrations Saturday Due to time zone differences, Muslims in Europe, Indonesia, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and many African nations also celebrated Eid around the same time. Eid-ul-Azha is being observed today in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Morocco, Mauritania, Brunei, and Malaysia.  A small number of Muslims in some areas of a few districts in Bangladesh observed the festival on Friday (June 6), following the Saudi Arabian schedule. Millions of worshippers across the country join the Eid congregations held at various Eidgahs.  The largest Eidgah in the country is the Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj, followed by the Gor-e-Shaheed Maidan in Dinajpur, where hundreds of thousands gather for the prayers. The main national congregation will be held at the National Eidgah adjacent to the Supreme Court. The Eid prayer will begin at 7:30am.  Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, members of the advisory council, justices of the Supreme Court, political leaders, and people from various walks of life will attend the congregation. As in previous years, five Eid congregations will be held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.  The first congregation will begin at 7:00am followed by prayers at 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:00am, and 10:45am. Eid-ul-Azha: President Shahabuddin sends warm wishes to nation The Meteorological Department has forecasted somewhat adverse weather conditions on Eid day.  Rain is expected across the country along with a possible rise in temperature on Saturday (June 7). The state agency released a 120-hour forecast on Friday (June 6) starting from 6:00am, detailing the expected weather conditions. Proper preparations to deal with inclement weather can help preserve the joy of Eid for the worshippers.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday called upon the people of the country to continue their strong support for the interim government's port management reform initiative, stressing that they envision Bangladesh as a key economic hub in South Asia. “We envision Bangladesh as a key economic hub in South Asia. To achieve this, we are not only boosting investment services but also expanding the capacity of our ports,” he said uurging all citizens not to fall victim to baseless opposition and misinformation. In a televised speech to the nation, Prof Yunus said, "Stay united in your support for the government’s efforts to reform port management and resist those who seek to undermine it." Reflecting on the country's progress since independence in 1971, Professor Yunus noted that Bangladesh has not yet reached the level of economic advancement it deserves. Failure to modernise the ports, he warned, would perpetuate the country's unemployment crisis and stall economic development. Addressing public speculation regarding the Chittagong Port, Professor Yunus said, “There have been rumors that the port is being handed over to foreign entities. Let me be clear—Chittagong Port is the heart of Bangladesh’s economy. Currently, this heart is weak. We must strengthen and modernise it if we are to move the economy forward.” He emphasised that transforming the port requires a series of strategic actions and collaboration with global experts. The interim government, he said, is working with leading international port operators from Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East to bring world-class expertise to Bangladesh. Prof Yunus dismisses ‘Corridor to Rakhine', reaffirms Rohingya repatriation “These firms manage ports across the globe—in countries like Canada, Australia, China, South Korea, India, Pakistan, Turkey, and beyond. Our goal is to learn from them and develop our own capabilities. I am confident that if we begin now, by 2031 we will be well-equipped, and by 2036, Bangladeshis will be managing ports around the world,” he said. Professor Yunus said many employment opportunities will open up for Bangladeshis both at home and abroad as a result of this knowledge transfer. “Soon, wherever you go—to ports across the world—you will find people from Chittagong, Noakhali, Sylhet and Barishal working there. Our people will be globally recognised for their expertise,” he said. Prof Yunus also highlighted the broader regional impact of modernised Bangladeshi ports. “Once upgraded, our ports won’t just serve Bangladesh—they will become vital to the economies of our neighbors, including Nepal and Bhutan,” he noted. The Chief Adviser envisioned the entire coastal region—from Kumira to Teknaf—emerging as a major economic zone, with new industrial hubs and modern infrastructure driven by port efficiency and sea access. “This transformation will also give rise to a new industry: modern fish farming, harvesting, and processing. This will create a whole new economic frontier,” he said. Professor Yunus assured the public that national sovereignty and security will remain intact, stating, “Nowhere in the world has the involvement of international port operators compromised a country’s sovereignty or security.”

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday expressed the hope that the government will be able to prepare a comprehensive ‘July Charter’, based on the consensus of all political parties, and present it to the nation next month. “The students who led and participated in the July Uprising have announced plans to issue a July Declaration. They invited me to be part of it. I suggested that it would be more meaningful if the declaration is issued jointly—by all political leaders, representatives of civil society and others," he said in a televised address to the nation in the evening. He emphasised that the July Charter would serve as a unified national commitment, reflecting the shared vision of political forces and the proposals recommended by the Reform Commission. “This Charter is a promise,” he said, adding, “It will include a list of reform proposals, agreed upon by all parties, aimed at building a welfare-oriented state. By signing it, the parties will pledge to implement these reforms.” Prof Yunus reiterated the government's commitment to initiating and carrying forward the necessary reforms outlined in the charter. National election in April next: Prof Yunus “We are committed to implementing the urgent reforms as per the July Charter,” he stated. “We also intend to begin work on other key initiatives, which we hope the elected government will carry forward.” Highlighting the significance of national unity and reform, he said they must move forward with resolve and unity. There is no alternative. "Through implementation of the Charter, we will present a new, cohesive image of Bangladesh to the world—one that reflects our strength and solidarity as a nation.” He also lauded the establishment of the Consensus Commission, calling it a courageous and unprecedented initiative. “No other country has seen such a model. Through this, we have discovered new political depth as a nation,” he said. Prof Yunus praised the intensive engagement of all political parties with the commission. “Their group-wise preparations, lengthy and intense discussions—aired live on national television—and unwavering efforts to achieve consensus will remain a landmark moment in our political history,” he noted. “On behalf of the nation, I thank all political parties for their patience, cooperation, and courtesy. I hope they will soon finalise their remaining work and present a complete July Charter that sets a lasting direction for the country.”

Trashing the propaganda on so-called corridor to Rakhine, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday said this is completely a lie and they will continue their efforts to resolve the Rohingya crisis as their repatriation is the only solution.  "We have noticed that a propaganda is being spread that Bangladesh has provided a corridor for Rakhine. I am saying clearly, this is a complete lie," he said in a televised speech to the nation in the evening.  Talking about the propaganda on corridor, Prof Yunus said this is a story to be told with a grain of saltband this is the work of those who are constantly misleading the people of Bangladesh by making false stories and creating unrest.  "You should be careful about this. Do not be misled in any way. Despite this propaganda, we will not deviate from our goal. We will continue our work to solve this complex problem," said the Chief Adviser. ‌ UN Secretary-General António Guterres, during his visit to Dhaka in March last year, proposed a relief channel to deal with the humanitarian disaster in Rakhine State.  Guterres said this proposal would be helpful in the repatriation of the Rohingyas.  "The matter still remains at the proposal stage," Prof Yunus said. He said when they took office, they found the Rohingya issue almost dead. "The issue had fallen off the international agenda." From that situation, Prof Yunus said they were able to bring the issue to the forefront of the world's attention. Prof Yunus had called for an international conference on the Rohingya issue at the UN General Assembly in September last year.  "You will be happy to know that all UN member states have agreed on this and have decided to organise a high-level international conference. This conference will be held in New York, USA in September this year," he said.  At the same time, Prof Yunus said they have been able to shape international public opinion for the repatriation of the Rohingya.  During his visit to Bangladesh last March, UN Secretary-General Guterres clearly declared that repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar is the only solution to the Rohingya problem. Another major development on the repatriation issue is the announcement by the Myanmar government of the first list of Rohingyas eligible for repatriation, Prof Yunus said.  During discussions on the sidelines of the Bimestec  Summit in Bangkok last April, the Myanmar government announced for the first time that 180,000 Rohingyas are eligible for repatriation, he said. Formal and informal contacts are being maintained with the Myanmar government and the rebel groups there to ensure the repatriation of the Rohingyas and the security of the borders, Prof Yunus said.  He said they they have discussed with state leaders and government representatives in all the countries he has have visited to deal with the Rohingya crisis and sought their cooperation. "They have also responded positively to our call." Prof Yunus said over 1.2 million Rohingyas are now living in the country.  About 100,000 Rohingya came between September 2023 and 2024, when there was a widespread war in Rakhine State.  "Many are still trying to come due to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian situation there," Prof Yunus said.  He said they have taken initiatives to stop the Rohingya from coming to Bangladesh and to repatriate those who are already in Bangladesh.

The country is ready to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha on Saturday (June 7). All preparations are in place to observe the day with both religious fervour and festive joy. Eid-ul-Azha, also known as the “Qurani Eid,” marks the devotion of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) as he was ready to sacrifice his son, Hazrat Ismail (AS), at Allah’s command. In the end, Allah sent a ram instead. Muslims honour this moment by sacrificing animals. The meat is shared among family, neighbours, and the poor. Eid day in Bangladesh begins with special prayers, thousands of mosques and open fields, or Eidgahs, hosts Eid jamaats. This year, the main Eid congregation is scheduled to be held at the Jatiya Eidgah at 7:30 am. However, if the weather is unfavorable, the Eid prayer will not take place there. In that case, it will be held at the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram around 8:00 am. Mass exodus from Dhaka begins as 10-day Eid holiday kicks off Besides, at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, five jamaats will be held between 7am and 10:45am, according to the Islamic Foundation. In total, 1,621 mosques and 118 Eidgahs in Dhaka will hold prayers. The ‘Shia’ and ‘Ahmadiyya’ communities will also arrange eight separate congregations. Security has been tightened across the capital. Over 500 police patrol teams will be on duty during the night, and 250 during the day. CCTV cameras, metal detectors, and archways have been set up at key prayer spots. Separate security has been arranged for women worshippers. SWAT, bomb disposal units, and plainclothes police will remain alert. Dhaka’s metro rail will be closed on Eid day. According to Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), services will resume on Sunday (June 8) at 8am. Trains will run every 30 minutes. From June 9, the metro rail will follow the regular holiday timetable. To help holiday travel, all CNG and fuel stations have been asked to stay open 24 hours a day for 13 days.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday announced that the next national election will be held some time in the first half of April 2026, reaffirming the government’s commitment to reform, justice and democratic progress. "After reviewing the ongoing reforms in justice, governance and the electoral process, I am announcing today that the next national election will be held in the first half of April 2026," he said in a televised address to the nation in the evening. Based on this announcement, Prof Yunus, the Election Commission, will provide a detailed roadmap for the election at an appropriate time. He said they want an election that will satisfy the souls of the martyrs of the uprising and bring peace to their souls. "We want the largest number of voters, candidates and parties to participate in the next elections. May this be remembered by the nation as the most free, fair and impartial election," Prof Yunus said. After a century and a half, a truly representative parliament will be formed in the country, he assured. A huge group of young people will get the opportunity to vote for the first time in their lives, Prof Yunus said. He said they are committed to the nation to take all necessary steps towards these goals. Prof Yunus appealed to the people of the country to obtain specific commitments from all political parties and candidates in their areas to approve the reforms on which consensus was reached in the first session of the next parliament without any cuts. Prof Yunus urges unity, sacrifice to build a discrimination-free Bangladesh "You will obtain a promise that you will never compromise on the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity of Bangladesh and will not sell the country's interests to any external force," he said. Prof Yunus said he knows that there is great interest among political parties and the public to know when the next national election will be held. "I have repeatedly said this election will be held between December and June next year," he said, adding that the government is doing whatever is necessary to create an environment conducive to elections in the country during this period. "It is important to remember here that the main reason for all the times Bangladesh has plunged into deep crises since independence was flawed elections," said the Chief Adviser. Through repeated accumulations of power through flawed election processes, a political party turned into a barbaric fascist, he said. "Those who organise such elections are identified as criminals by the nation. The party that comes to power through such elections is also hated by the people," Prof Yunus said. A major responsibility of this government is to organise an election in a fair, festive, peaceful and massively participated atmosphere, Prof Yunus said. Working for ‘smooth transition’ to democracy through fair polls: Prof Yunus To organise an election so that the country does not fall into a new crisis in the future, institutional reform is the most important, he said. "If good governance can not be ensured in the institutions that are directly involved in elections, then all the sacrifices of the students and the public will be in vain," he said. Prof Yunus said they took responsibility on the basis of these three mandates: reform, justice and elections. "In that regard, I believe that we will be able to reach an acceptable point in terms of reform and justice by the next Eid-ul-Fitr. Especially in the matter of the trial of crimes against humanity - which is our collective responsibility towards the martyrs of the July mass uprising - we will be able to see visible progress," he said. Prof Yunus said they will be able to implement the mandate that the people have entrusted to them, even if it is minimal. "In that regard, we have discussed with all parties to organise the most free, fair, competitive and acceptable elections in history," Prof Yunus said.

A football tournament final was held at Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj on Friday, in celebration of Eid-ul-Azha. The tournament, which began on May 25 last month, featured eight teams comprising inmates of the prison. FIFA International Friendly: Bangladesh boost morale with 2-0 win over Bhutan ahead of Asian Cup Qualifiers In the final match, Jamuna Bhaban defeated Monihar Bhaban by 1-0 to claim the championship title, says AIG prisons (Media) of the Prisons Directorate Farhad Hossain. Following the match, a prize distribution ceremony was held, where medals, runner-up and champion trophies were awarded to both teams. Mishu, an inmate from Jamuna Bhaban, was named the best player of the final. Senior Jail Superintendent Suraiya Akter, Jailer A.K.M. Masum, and Deputy Jailers were present during the event.