National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan on Saturday said the traditional Eid procession in the capital has helped lift the sense of monotony often felt by residents during Eid.
“People used to feel bored staying at home during Eid, often spending the day idly. But for the second consecutive time, the Eid procession revived in line with Mughal-era traditions has brought a distinct festive spirit to the day,” Asif told reporters after the procession.
He said such processions would continue to be organised every Eid-ul-Fitr, adding that the initiative would also serve as a platform to highlight the aspirations and demands of people in Bangladesh and the wider Muslim Ummah.
A colourful ‘Eid Ananda Michhil’ was brought out in the capital marking the holy Eid-ul-Fitr, led by Asif.
The procession began around 10am after the main Eid congregation at the National Eidgah ground. It started from the adjacent High Court premises and passed through Central Shaheed Minar and Shahbagh intersection before ending in front of Hotel InterContinental.
People from all walks of life including men, women and children joined the procession, chanting slogans such as “Eid Mubarak,” “Free Palestine,” and calls for justice on various national issues.
Leaders of the NCP at different levels, along with current and former activists of the anti-discrimination student movement, also took part. The procession featured bands, horses, horse-drawn carriages, elephants, decorated vans, royal umbrellas, performers dressed as jesters, and placards bearing various messages.
The three-day Eid festival, organised under a ‘citizens’ initiative’, began on Friday at Rabindra Sarobar with a daylong mehendi festival, followed by a cultural programme in the evening where Asif himself performed songs.
Organisers said the initiative aims to revive Dhaka’s historic civic traditions and festive culture, noting that Eid had traditionally been a major occasion for social gathering, cultural expression and shared joy in the city.
On Sunday, the final day of the festival, a kite festival will be held at Suhrawardy Udyan, where people of all ages are expected to celebrate Eid by flying colourful kites.