United News of Bangladesh

The largest Eid-ul-Fitr congregation in Bangladesh is set to take place at the historic Sholakia Eidgah field in Kishoreganj at 10:00 am on the day of Eid. This marks the 198th edition of the Eid prayer at this iconic location, which attracts worshippers from across the country and abroad. Mufti Abul Khayer Mohammad Saifulloh will lead this year’s prayer, continuing a long-standing tradition of renowned scholars presiding over the event. Due to the field's prestigious reputation and its strong connection to local and regional heritage, hundreds of thousands of worshippers, including those from remote districts and foreign countries, gather here annually to participate in the congregation. Kishoreganj Deputy Commissioner and President of the Sholakia Eidgah Management Committee, Fouzia Khan, said, “To facilitate the movement of worshippers to Sholakia for the Eid prayer, two special trains named Sholakia Express will operate on the Bhairab-Kishoreganj and Mymensingh-Kishoreganj routes. The district administration has arranged for the accommodation and meals of the worshippers coming from far-off places.” No threat of conspiracy in empty Dhaka during Eid: Adviser This year’s congregation is expected to see over two lakh worshippers, further cementing the field's reputation as the largest Eid prayer venue in the country. The prayer will be held promptly at 10:00 AM, with security and logistical arrangements carefully planned to accommodate the large turnout. Police Superintendent Md. Hasan Chowdhury said, “Various measures have been taken to ensure tight security and a smooth Eid prayer. In light of the 2016 militant attack at Sholakia, additional security measures will be implemented this year. The entire field and its surroundings will be under a security blanket. During the prayer, a strong security perimeter will be maintained with five platoons of BGB, a large number of police, RAB, and Ansar personnel.  “Various intelligence agency personnel will also monitor the field in plain clothes. Additionally, CCTV cameras, watchtowers, archways, and metal detectors will be installed at the entrance points, and a drone camera will fly overhead for surveillance. As a result, worshippers will be able to offer their prayers safely, without any disturbances, and with complete peace of mind.” RAB-14 Commanding Officer Mohammad Naimul Hasan said, “Over a hundred RAB members will be assigned to various security duties in several layers at the field. Watchtowers have also been constructed to monitor the field.” The number of participants has grown steadily over the years, reflecting the increasing importance of the Sholakia Eidgah as a spiritual centre.  “Praying together at this location is considered a significant source of spiritual reward, with many believers attending in the hope that their prayers will be accepted by Allah Ta'ala,” said a local worshipper. The Sholakia Eidgah, established in 1828 by Dewan Hazrat Khan Bahadur, the sixth descendant of Masnad-e-Ala Isha Khan, spans about seven acres and has 265 rows of prayer spaces. The first Eid prayer at Sholakia, attended by around 1.25 lakh worshippers, gave the field its original name, "Sowa Lakhi Maath." Over time, the name evolved into the current "Sholakia Field." There is a tradition at this field where, five, three, and two minutes before the start of the prayer, the sound of blank gunshots from a short gun is used as a signal to indicate that it is time to prepare for prayer. With such comprehensive planning in place, the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer at Sholakia is set to proceed smoothly, allowing worshippers to offer their prayers in peace and safety.

The largest Eid congregation of the country will be held at Sholakia Eidgah Maidan in Kishoreganj  district at 9am on Eid day. Three-tier security measures have been taken in and around the Eidgah to ensure foolproof security, said deputy commissioner of Kishoreganj Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad on Monday after inspecting the maidan ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha prayers. Main Eid Jamaat to be held at Nat’l Eidgah The main Eid jamaat will be held at 9 am and Maulana Farid Uddin Masud will lead the Eid congregation, he added. People will not be allowed to carry mobile phone sets and umbrellas on security grounds. Law enforcers along with plainclothes police will be deployed. Apart from CCTV cameras, four watchtowers will be set up to keep an eye on the ground. Eid-ul-Azha 2023: 5 jamaats to be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque  Six ambulances and 2 fire fighting units will remain standby round-the-clock for any emergency. Besides, two special trains named Sholakia Express-1 and Sholakia Express-2  will run on Bhairab-Kishoreganj and Mymensingh-Kishoreganj routes to ensure the safe participation of people at the largest Eid jamaat in the country. Sholakia Express- 1 will leave Bhairab at 6 am and reach Kishoreganj at 8 am while Sholakia Express-2 will leave Mymensingh at 6:30 am and reach Kishoreganj at 8:30 am. The Eidgah is situated on the northern bank of the Norsunda river. Mannan Dad Khan, former Dewan of Haibatnagar in Kishoreganj, donated 4.35 acres of land through Waqf deeds in 1950 and now the Eidgah has an area of seven acres. With higher spice prices, consumers feeling the pinch this Eid-ul-Azha The waqf document mentions that Eid Jamaat was held at Sholakia Eidgah Maidan some 200 years ago. During the 2016 Eid-ul-Fitr congregation, militants launched a surprise attack on a temporary police check post near the Eidgah, killing at least four people, including two policemen. Every year, Sholakia Eidgha Maidan turns into a sea of people. People offer prayers and seek blessings from Allah for peace and happiness.     

After a Covid-induced hiatus of two years, the largest Eid congregation in Asia was held at Sholakia Eidgah Maidan in Kishoreganj on Tuesday. After the Eid Jamaat, the deputy commissioner and Eidgah Management Committee president Mohammad Shamim Alam told journalists that around three lakh devotees participated in the congregation. This year, Maulana Soayib Bin Abdur Rouf, imam of Kishoreganj Boro Bazar Jame Mosque, conducted the Jamaat instead of Maulana Farid Uddin Masud, chairman of Jamiatul Ulama. Devotees at Sholakia prayed for all Muslim Ummah and sought blessings from Allah.  Also Read: Bangladesh celebrates Eid as pandemic fades Mashrukur Rahman Khaled, superintendent of Kishoreganj Police, said that the entire Sholakia Eidgha Maidan was brought under a thick security blanket. A four-tier security system was put in place to ensure the safety of the devotees, he said. A total of five platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed besides Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), police and detectives. Apart from CCTV cameras, drones kept an eagle eye on the ground. Two fire tenders and ambulances were on standby for any emergency, he added. Two special trains -- both named Sholakia Express -- were operated on Bhairab-Kishoreganj and Mymensingh-Kishoreganj routes to ensure that the devotees could join the largest Eid Jamaat, officials said. Every year, Sholakia Eidgha Maidan turns into a gathering place for Muslims. People offer prayers and seek blessings from Allah for their peace and happiness.     

For the first time in nearly 200 years, there will be no Eid congregation at Kishoreganj’s Sholakia as the country fights to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Kishoreganj, August 9 (UNB) – Shokalia is all set to host the largest congregation during this Eid-ul-Azha scheduled to be celebrated on Monday.