In an unusual development, Eid-ul-Fitr prayers were held with only seven worshippers in a village of Hajiganj upazila in Chandpur, two days ahead of the official celebration in Bangladesh, drawing widespread attention and curiosity in the area.
Even more unusual was the fact that it was also a day ahead of Saudi Arabia, usually the lodestar for the residents of Hajiganj and a neighbouring upazila.
For decades, around 40 villages in Chandpur have been observing Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha in line with Saudi Arabia. However, this year saw a deviation from that tradition.
The small congregation took place at around 10am on Thursday in Ward No. 7 of Borokul West Union, where Eid prayers were offered following an announcement of “Eid Mubarak” over a loudspeaker. The prayers were led by Maulana Abu Bakar Siddiq.
Participants in the congregation were followers of the late pir of Sadra Darbar Sharif, Maulana Ishaq (RA), with only seven worshippers attending the eid jamaat (congregation).
According to sources, the decision to celebrate Eid even a day ahead of the Middle East was based on reports of moon sightings in different parts of the world, including Afghanistan and West African countries such as Mali and Niger. The group believes that Eid should be observed wherever the moon is sighted globally.
Although Saudi Arabia is set to celebrate Eid on Friday, Afghanistan and some other countries observed it on Thursday.
Aligning with those countries, a section of followers in Chandpur marked Eid early for the first time.
Speaking to UNB, Maulana Abu Bakar Siddiq said moon sightings had been reported in countries including Niger and Mali. “Islam is a global religion and the moon is one. So Eid should also be observed on the same day,” he said, explaining the reasoning behind their decision.
Another follower of the Darbar, Yahya Chowdhury, said there was some confusion among them. “Those who offered prayers accepted the moon sighting reports. But after verification, we found that moon sighting in Afghanistan at that time was unlikely, so we did not accept it,” he said.
He added that they would celebrate Eid on Friday in line with Saudi Arabia, along with hundreds of thousands of followers across the other 39 villages.
Locals said the practice of observing Eid based on global moon sighting dates back to 1928 in the area, initiated by followers of the late pir Maulana Ishaq of Sadra Darbar Sharif. Since then, his followers have been consistently observing Ramadan and both Eids in line with Saudi Arabia for the past 98 years.
Over time, the practice spread to nearly 40 villages in Chandpur and other parts of the country.
Followers of the pir had started fasting from February 18 this year, in line with Saudi Arabia.