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

People from different classes, professions and age groups gathered at the National Eidgah on the Supreme Court premises and also took part in the prayers with raised hands.

Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Mufti Muhammad Abdul Malek led the prayers around 7:31am. He also conducted the khutba after the prayers.

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

Apart from the President and the Prime Minister, Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Social Welfare Minister AZM Zahid Hossain, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, Prime Minister’s advisers Ismail Zabihullah and AKM Shamsul Islam, along with cabinet members, judges of the Supreme Court, lawmakers, politicians, diplomats, high-ranking civil and military officials and other dignitaries joined the congregation.

After the prayers, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman exchanged Eid greetings with the President, the Chief Justice and other dignitaries.

Tight security measures were in place around the Eidgah, with devotees passing through security checks before entering the venue.

The Dhaka South City Corporation made extensive preparations at the National Eidgah, which covers around 33,000 square metres. The main prayer pandal measured 25,400 square metres and had the capacity to accommodate nearly 35,000 worshippers at a time.

Separate prayer arrangements were also made for women.

Authorities also arranged an alternative main Eid congregation at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 8am as a precaution in case of rain.

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

After the prayers, the Prime Minister visited the graves of his parents — Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia — at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and offered Fateha and a munajat there.

In the afternoon, Tarique Rahman will join the traditional “Barkhana” feast hosted by the Armed Forces at Dhaka Cantonment.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Prime Minister extended Eid-ul-Azha greetings to the people of Bangladesh and Muslims across the world.

In a video message, he  said holy Eid-ul-Azha has once again arrived at the doorsteps of the Muslim Ummah with the message of sacrifice, piety and self-purification.

“I extend my greetings on the occasion of holy Eid-ul-Azha to Muslims in Bangladesh and across the world. I also wish all people of the country, regardless of political belief, religion or ethnicity, a happy Eid. Eid Mubarak,” he said.