United News of Bangladesh

Muslims across Bangladesh celebrated Eid-ul-Azha, one of the most significant religious festivals in Islam, on Saturday with religious fervour and enthusiasm. The main congregation was held at the Jatiya Eidgah on the High Court premises in the capital at 7:30am. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, members of the advisory council, judges from both divisions of the Supreme Court, and other dignitaries were present. Thousands of people from all walks of life, including political leaders, senior government officials, diplomats from Muslim countries, and ordinary citizens, joined the prayers. The Eid prayers was led by Hafez Maulana Mufti Mohammad Abdul Malek, Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, while Muhammad Habibur Rahman, Muazzin of the same mosque, served as the Qari. Sacrifice and Celebration: The spirit of Eid-ul-Azha lives on After the prayers, a special munajat was offered, seeking peace, prosperity, and good health for the nation. The chief adviser also sought prayers from the congregation for the welfare of the country and its people.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday stressed the need for a deepening trade and investment relationship with Qatar. He invited Qatari businesspeople to invest in Bangladesh and relocate their factories to the country's many economic zones. "Bangladesh is now ready for business. We want Qatari businessmen to explore opportunities here in Bangladesh," Dr Yunus said, adding that Dhaka would hold an investment summit in early April. Qatar has extended its full support to the reform agenda of Bangladesh's Interim goverment, the ambassador of the rich Gulf kingdom of Qatar, Seraya Ali Al-Qahtani, said. Ambassador Al-Qahtani called on Dr Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna, where he conveyed the message from his government. "Qatar is eager to provide all sorts of support to Bangladesh," the Qatari ambassador told the chief adviser. Election to be free and festive, Dr Yunus tells US Senator "This is wonderful," Prof Yunus said, thanking the Qatar Emir for the support and for being a close friend of Bangladesh. The Qatari ambassador appreciated the invitation, saying he hopes more business people from his country will visit Bangladesh very soon. Yunus highlighted the reform agenda of his government and the work of the consensus commission to hold dialogue with the political parties. He said he is expected to visit Qatar next month to attend an international conference in the gas-rich Gulf kingdom.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday met President of Timor-Leste José Ramos-Horta and discussed issues of mutual interest. The meeting, held at a city hotel, discussed ways to deepen the relations between the two countries. While welcoming the President of Timor-Leste on his first official visit to Bangladesh, Foreign Adviser Hossain discussed issues of mutual interest with the visiting President, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.