United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called for holding the lessons of sacrifice of the holy Eid-ul-Adha and build the New Bangladesh which will be happy, prosperous and peaceful Bangladesh free from discrimination. “Let us hold the lessons of sacrifice of the holy Eid-ul-Adha and build the new Bangladesh after the July Uprising as a discrimination-free, happy, prosperous and peaceful Bangladesh,” he said in a message on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Azha. Prof Yunus prayed to the Almighty Allah for the continued prosperity and progress of Bangladesh and people of the country. Professor Muhammad Yunus extended heartfelt greetings to his fellow countrymen and Muslims around the world on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Azha. He expressed the hope that the sacred festival would bring welfare and prosperity to all, inspiring a renewed spirit of sacrifice among people. Eid-ul-Azha: President Shahabuddin sends warm wishes to nation The Chief Adviser described Eid-ul-Azha as one of the most significant religious occasions in Islam, symbolising  profound devotion and ultimate submission to Allah Almighty. He said, “The unparalleled example of love, obedience, and sacrifice demonstrated by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), who prepared to sacrifice his beloved son Hazrat Ismail (AS) in obedience to Allah’s command, remains an extraordinary lesson in the history of faith.” Prof Yunus emphasised   that the ritual of animal sacrifice (Qurbani) fosters a sense of selflessness and teaches the importance of sharing both joy and sorrow with family, neighbors, and the wider community. It also imparts a vital lesson in tolerance and empathy, he added. He said the annual observance of Eid-ul-Azha strengthens social bonds by promoting solidarity and equality, as Muslims distribute the meat of the sacrificed animals among relatives, neighbours, and those in need. “Eid-ul-Azha teaches us the values of peace, compassion, sacrifice and brotherhood,” Prof Yunus said. “The true essence of this holy occasion lies in self-purification, self-restraint, and the nurturing of amity and harmony among all Muslims.”

Over 60 passengers returning home for Eid were rescued from a drifting trawler in the middle of the Meghna River after the vessel's engine failed on Friday morning. A sudden response by the Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued them and saved them from a vital incident. According to Lieutenant Commander Harun-ur-Rashid, Media Officer of the Coast Guard South Zone, the incident occurred around 11am near the Majher Char area, a trawler illegally transporting passengers from Lakshmipur to Bhola's Ilisha terminal broke down mid-river with 60 passengers on board. One passenger managed to alert the Coast Guard. In response, a rescue team was immediately dispatched to the location. The team successfully rescued all 60 passengers along with two boatmen—bringing the total number of people rescued to 62—and transported them safely to the Ilisha terminal. Eid travellers face gridlock, higher fares on Dhaka-Aricha highway Following the rescue, the trawler and its operators were handed over to Ilisha River Police for further legal action due to their involvement in unauthorized passenger transport. He also mentioned that the Coast Guard continues to conduct regular patrols to ensure the safety of coastal and riverine communities. Additionally, in preparation for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha 2025, the Coast Guard is actively working to maintain security and law and order on waterways and will continue these efforts in the days ahead.

The Jamuna Bridge has recorded the highest-ever toll collection in a single day since its inauguration 27 years ago, with Tk 4 crore 10 lakh collected on Thursday as more than 64,000 vehicles crossed the bridge. Executive engineer of the Jamuna Bridge Site Office, Ahsanul Kabir Pavel, on Friday said that toll revenue reached a record Tk 4,10,40,950 [4 crore 10 lakh 40 thousand 950] in the 24 hours from 12am Wednesday (June 4) to 12am Thursday (June 5). The previous highest daily toll was Tk 3 crore 80 lakh 63 thousand four hundred, collected on June 14, last year, ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha holidays. At that time, the bridge authority had installed six additional booths, three at each end of the bridge, to cope with the surge in traffic. 10-day Eid holiday begins Thursday; mass exodus underway Currently, toll is being collected through 18 booths and four additional booths dedicated to motorcycles, he added. According to bridge authority data, 64,283 vehicles crossed the Jamuna Bridge during the record 24-hour period. Of them, 43,003 vehicles used the eastern toll plaza, generating Tk 2 crore 42 lakh 30 thousand seven hundred in tolls, while 21,280 vehicles crossed via the western toll plaza, contributing Tk 1 crore 68 lakh 10 thousand two hundred fifty.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Friday extended his warm greetings to the nation on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Azha. In a statement, the president said, “Eid Mubarak! On the occasion of one of the most significant religious festivals of the Muslims, Eid-ul-Azha, I extend my heartfelt greetings and felicitations to the people of Bangladesh and to all Muslim brothers and sisters around the world.” Highlighting the spiritual essence of the festival, President Shahabuddin said Eid-ul-Azha embodies the profound lesson of ultimate sacrifice. “Prophet Ibrahim (AS) set an unparalleled example of unwavering devotion and love for Allah by offering to sacrifice his beloved son, Prophet Ismail (AS). This historical event holds immense significance for humanity and remains deeply instructive for us all,” he added. He said the act of ‘Qurbani’ inspires a spirit of selflessness, strengthens the bonds of sharing joy and sorrow with relatives and neighbors, and fosters social harmony among the rich and the poor alike. Tarique Rahman greets people on Eid-ul-Azha “Many underprivileged and impoverished people in our society live in hardship and distress. We must uphold the ideals of equality and fraternity exemplified by Eid-ul-Azha and share its joy with them,” the President added. Shahabuddin also expressed the hope that the teachings of sacrifice will be reflected in the personal, social and national life of all. “Alongside animal sacrifice, may we also cleanse our hearts of hatred, envy and malice -- this is my prayer to Allah. May this holy Eid-ul-Azha bring welfare and prosperity to all,” he said.

From the early hours, the Gabtoli cattle market, the largest in the capital, has been grappling with a severe shortage of sacrificial animals ahead of Eid. Failing to find suitable cattle, buyers are now flocking to the 100 Feet Natun Bazar in search of livestock. A visit to the Gabtoli market revealed a dismal scenario for Eid shoppers. Those who arrived in the morning found only a handful of cows, with prices soaring beyond expectations. Medium-sized cattle in high demand, large ones struggle to find buyers at Dhaka markets Selim Hossain, who came to purchase a cow just a day before Eid, expressed his frustration,"I’ve never seen such a shortage of cattle on the morning before Eid. The few that are available are small in size and priced outrageously high." Another buyer, Iqbal Hasan, shared his disappointment, "I came to buy a cow, but returned home with a goat instead. It was a mistake to wait until the last day." Traders who brought their cattle to Gabtoli were seen returning home as they had sold out. One such trader, Monsur, said,"I brought 11 cows. All were sold out by early dawn yesterday. Now I’m heading home." Another trader, Mosaddeq, added,"Yes, all the cattle are sold, but we didn’t get the price we hoped for. Every cow had to be sold at a reduced price. After last year’s price crash in the final hours, most traders didn’t want to take risks this time." With hardly any cattle left at Gabtoli, many buyers headed towards the 100 Feet Natun Bazaar. One of them, Mahtab Sheikh, said,"There’s practically no cattle left in Gabtoli. Couldn’t find anything suitable in Diabari either. I’ve ended up here at the 100 Feet bazar, but the traders are asking for too much." A visit to the 100 Feet market around midday revealed that most of the cattle had already been sold. Traders were visibly anxious, unsure whether to sell the few remaining cows at a loss or wait in hopes of higher prices later in the evening. Masum Mia, a trader from Dinajpur, said,"I’ve hiked the prices slightly after hearing about the cattle shortage in other markets. But I’ve seen this before – cattle arrive later in the day, and prices crash by evening." Rimon Munshi, another trader, defended the high prices, "Everyone says we’re charging more, but no one considers how much more expensive cattle feed has become this year. If you do the maths, each cow is costing us Tk 10,000–15,000 in losses." Mixed emotions at capital’s cattle markets as traders part with sacrificial animals  As the cattle crisis deepens, goat prices have also shot up in the final hours. Buyers at the 100 Feet bazar complained that goats once priced at Tk 15,000 are now being sold for Tk 25,000, with each goat costing Tk 10,000–15,000 more than earlier in the season. Meanwhile, unfavourable weather has added another layer of uncertainty to cattle trading across the capital’s markets. Due to the rain, many traders are now willing to sell their livestock with minimum profit, fearing further losses if conditions worsen.

A cow was killed in a wild elephant attack in Nalitabari upazila of Sherpur on Friday. The incident took place at around 10:30 am inside the Baromari Shadhu Leo’s Mission (Baromari Christian Mission) when the elephant descending from the nearby hills attacked the cow, 6tethered to a post. 3 pedestrians killed after truck hits easy bike in Sherpur Father Tarun Banowari of the Baromari Shadhu Leo’s Mission said, the wild elephant  fatally trampled the tied cow. Wild elephant attacks have been on the rise in the border areas of Nalitabari, Jhenaigati, and Sreebardi upazilas of Sherpur. Herds of elephants often enter localities from the hills foraging food, causing damage to lives and property. On May 29, a wild elephant killed an elderly widow, Surton Nesha, in Batkuchi Namapara near the old forest office in Nalitabari. Earlier, on May 20, two farmers—Azizur Rahman Akash and Ephilis Hagidak—were killed in separate elephant attacks in the Gajni area of Jhenaigati upazila. Wild elephants have also been damaging homes, consuming stored rice and cooked food and destroying crops such as jackfruit and bananas. They have wreaked havoc on forest department offices, eco-parks and various government installations. Residents of elephant-prone areas are now spending sleepless nights in fear, trying to protect their lives and property.

With the blessed Eid-ul-Azha approaching, the rhythm of hammers on steel should be echoing through Dhaka’s blacksmith lanes like a festive drumbeat, but this year, that symphony is curiously subdued. In Karwan Bazar’s age-old alleys, where iron and fire are forged into tradition, blades of every kind sit poised—ready for the season's sacred rituals. Knives, cleavers, axes and the famed round tamarind chopping blocks known as khaitta lie in neat rows under the open sky and tin roofs. Forging Faith: Jashore’s blacksmiths toil tirelessly ahead of Eid-ul-Azha Their sharp edges glint in the morning sun, their handles polished, their weight balanced. And yet, they are met not with eager hands, but with the still air of waiting. At Zerin Hardware, owner Md. Jewel gestures to his displays, a craftsman’s pride gleaming in his eyes. “We’ve got everything ready,” he says, standing amidst an arsenal of blades. The small to medium knives are modestly priced, between Tk 150 and Tk 600. The locally made cleavers, known as chapati, sell by the kilo—Tk 800 per kilogram. A traditional axe fetches Tk 1,000, while Chinese models are slightly lighter on the wallet, priced between Tk 700 and Tk 800. Just beside, sparks fly as heated metal meets anvil. The sound should draw a crowd—but it doesn’t. The same quiet unfolds miles away in Bhola Sadar, where blacksmiths still hammer each blade by hand, each strike a testament to muscle and memory. Muhim, a blacksmith whose arms bear the marks of his trade, leans over his workbench. “We have all types of tools for cutting meat,” he says. His voice carries the weight of tradition. On the subject of imported tools, he is firm: “Local steel tools are best for cutting meat. Chinese tools may be fine for fruit, but they’re not ideal for meat.” In his shop, the gleam of newly sharpened blades speaks for itself. Steel tools are sold by weight—Tk 800 per kilogram—a price that reflects both skill and steel. A few stalls down, the scent of freshly carved tamarind wood lingers in the air. Here, the khaitta blocks rest like old companions, their rough textures echoing decades of tradition. Seller Md. Shamim names his prices without fanfare—Tk 300 for small, Tk 400 for medium, and Tk 500 for large blocks. Each one waits for a buyer, just as it waits to cradle the sacrifice. And still, the market breathes quietly. The usual buzz of pre-Eid-ul-Azha excitement seems to have softened. Blades remain unsold, blocks unmoved, and blacksmiths wary. They have prepared for the season, just as they always do. Fire and forge, steel and sweat—all ready for hands that are yet to come.  

BNP’s acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday extended warm greetings to the people of Bangladesh and Muslims across the globe on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. In a message posted on his verified Facebook account, Tarique wrote, "I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the people of Bangladesh and all Muslims around the world. I pray for their continued happiness and well-being. Eid Mubarak." He wished that Eid-ul-Azha would bring peace, happiness and prosperity into everyone’s lives. “May it foster unity and harmony in society. I pray to Almighty Allah for His blessings in this regard.” Referring to the current economic situation in Bangladesh, he said, “It will be difficult for many to enjoy Eid fully.” Tarique said soaring inflation, abnormal increases in food prices, and severe shortages of water, gas and electricity have plunged public life into deep distress. “People with limited income are struggling to survive.” He emphasised the importance of sharing the joy of the festival, saying, “On the day of Eid, we must ensure that no one remains hungry. The joy of Eid should be shared collectively, bringing everyone into the same line.”  Announce specific date to hold election by December: Tarique Rahman Highlighting the spirit of sacrifice that defines Eid-ul-Azha, the BNP leader said, “Eid-ul-Azha is the festival of sacrifice. At its core lies the essence of giving up. As the Holy Qur’an states, neither the meat nor the blood reaches Allah, but rather the piety and devotion from your heart.” He said people sacrifice animals to attain closeness to Allah. “The holy Eid-ul-Azha returns every year with the great message of self-purification, self-satisfaction and self-sacrifice.” Despite growing price hikes in daily essentials, various social injustices, and economic crises, Tarique said the hearts of the country's Muslim community are filled with the unbridled joy and excitement of Eid. Referring to the political changeover in the country, he said the people of Bangladesh have endured a difficult period of fascism for a decade and a half. Following the fall of the fascist clique on August 5 last year, Tarique said, this year’s Eid-ul-Azha is being celebrated in a somewhat relaxed atmosphere. He called upon people to reflect their will in rebuilding society based on peace, unity, harmony and high morality, ensuring that serious discrimination is removed and the atrocities of rampant looting, corruption, and money laundering are never repeated. Tarique Rahman has been living in London since 2008, along with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman.  

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has intensified intelligence surveillance and taken extensive security measures across the country to ensure the smooth and peaceful celebration of Eid-ul-Azha as well as to tackle any unforeseen situation. Wing Commander M Z M Intekhab Chowdhury, director of RAB’s Legal and Media Wing, made this remarks while briefing reporters on Friday noon at the National Eidgah premises in the capital. He briefed the media on the security arrangements undertaken by RAB at the National Eidgah and other major Eid congregations across the country. "Like every year, RAB has taken special security measures centering Eid-ul-Azha and strengthened intelligence surveillance nationwide to ensure public safety," he said. He added that security has been beefed up at major Eid venues including the National Eidgah, Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, Sholakia Eidgah, Dinajpur Eidgah, and other significant locations.  Security sweeps are being conducted, while watch towers, striking forces, mobile patrols, observation posts, check posts, and CCTV monitoring are in place. To respond to any emergency situation, RAB’s bomb disposal units and dog squads are on standby, he said. Regarding the safe return of home-bound people, the RAB spokesperson  said enhanced surveillance and patrol activities are underway at bus terminals, railway stations, launch terminals, and ferry ghats to prevent overcharging, black market ticketing, overloading, harassment, and criminal activities such as muggings and extortion. RAB is also conducting regular patrols along highways to prevent extortion during the transportation of sacrificial animals. Security has also been heightened at key shopping malls, markets, and recreational spots through increased static patrols to ensure that people can shop and celebrate in a festive and secure environment. Moreover, RAB has reinforced vigilance and patrols at residences, workplaces, malls, and other establishments in Dhaka and across the country to prevent theft and robbery during the Eid holidays. RAB urged all citizens, including cattle traders, to contact the RAB control room for assistance in case of any emergency.

In keeping with Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries, several villages in Basirshal, Sherpur, Jhenaidah and Kurigram districts are celebrating Eid-ul-Azha on Friday. In Barishal, several thousand families in Barishal city and surrounding areas observed Eid-ul-Azha early, in alignment with Saudi Arabia. The Eid congregation was held on Friday morning, followed by the ritual of animal sacrifice performed by devout Muslims. Eid exodus turns ordeal on crater-ridden Faridpur Highway In Barishal city’s Sagaridi Tajkathi Miyabari area, the main Eid prayer was held at 8:00 am at the Jahangiria Shahsufi Momtazia Central Jame Mosque. Hundreds of worshippers attended the congregation. In Ward No. 26 of Barishal city, more than a thousand families offered Eid prayers at the Chowdhuribari Shahsufi Momtazia Jame Mosque in Purbo Horinaphulia. Worshippers at the Jahangiria Shahsufi Momtazia Jame Mosque located at Haji Bari in Tajkathi under Ward No. 23 said that followers of the Chandnaish Darbar in Chattogram are observing Eid early at around 50 mosques across Barishal city and district. Those celebrating early Eid are followers of the Jahangiria Shahsufi Momtazia Darbar Sharif in Chandnaish, Chattogram. They observe Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, and other religious rituals in accordance with moon sightings from any part of the world. In Sherpur, Devotees and followers of the historic Sureshwar Darbar Sharif in Shariatpur celebrated the holy Eid-ul-Azha on Friday, in alignment with Saudi Arabia, without waiting for the national declaration. Eid Holiday Rush: Kuakata gears up to host thousands of tourists The main Eid prayer was held at 10:15 am in the Sureshwar Darbar Sharif premises. The congregation was led by Shah Sufi Syed Belal Nuri Al-Sureshwari. A second prayer was later held at the Darbar Sharif mosque, led by the mosque's imam. The Eid congregation was attended by spiritual leaders of the Darbar along with devotees from all six upazilas of Shariatpur, as well as followers from neighbouring districts including Chandpur, Munshiganj and Madaripur. At least 40 villages across Shariatpur’s six upazilas celebrated Eid today under the guidance of the Darbar’s religious leadership. In Kurigram, over 250 worshippers in Fulbari upazila of Kurigram observed Eid-ul-Azha on Friday. The main Eid congregation was held at around 9:00 am at Jelepara Jame Mosque under Fulbari Sadar Union. Locals in this area have been observing Eid and other Islamic festivals in accordance with Saudi Arabia for the past several years. Fulbari Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdus Salam said, “The Eid prayer at Jelepara Jame Mosque was held in line with Saudi Arabia. We took necessary steps to ensure law and order so everyone could celebrate without disruption.” In Jhenaidah, Muslims from several villages in Harinakundu upazila of Jhenaidah observed Eid-ul-Azha on Friday morning. The congregation was held at 8:00 am in the football field area of the upazila town. Organisers said they have been arranging Eid prayers in alignment with Saudi Arabia for several years. This year, devotees from Dakhilpur, Narayankandi, Boithapara, Boalia, Chotkabaria, Parfalsi, and Payradanga villages joined the congregation. Following the prayer, a special munajat was offered seeking peace, prosperity and well-being for the country, the nation and the Muslim Ummah.