President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman offered Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the country’s main congregation at the National Eidgah on Saturday morning.

Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, Mufti Muhammad Abdul Malek, led the prayers at around 8:34am.

A special munajat was offered after the prayers, seeking Allah’s blessings for peace, progress and prosperity of Bangladesh, as well as the welfare of its people and the wider Muslim Ummah.

Cabinet members, lawmakers, senior political leaders, high-ranking civil and military officials, and people from different walks of life also joined the congregation.

The Eid prayers were organised by Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) with separate arrangements for women at the venue.

Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the biggest religious festivals for Muslims, is being celebrated across the country.

This marks Tarique Rahman’s first Eid in Bangladesh in 18 years, after spending 17 years in exile in London.

After the prayers, the Prime Minister is scheduled to exchange greetings with people from all walks of life at the State Guest House Jamuna at 10am.

Later, he will visit the graves of his late parents — BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman, and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia — to offer fateha, along with his family members.

On Friday, the Prime Minister greeted the nation on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr, expressing hope that the joy of the festival would reach every home.

In a video message, he said that after a month of fasting, Eid-ul-Fitr has arrived with a message of unity, solidarity, compassion and joy for the Muslim Ummah.

“May the joy of Eid reach every home and every family. Let us be inspired by the ideals of Ramadan and share the happiness of the festival with one another,” he said.

Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh with his family on December 25 last year and assumed office as Prime Minister on February 17, following his party’s landslide victory in the 13th general election held on February 12 this year.