United News of Bangladesh

Thousands of worshippers gathered at Sylhet Shahi Eidgah for the main Eid ul-Fitr congregation on Monday. The congregation, which started at 8:30 AM, was led by Maulana Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, the Imam and Khatib of the Bandar Bazaar Central Jame Masjid. Prior to the prayer, a sermon was delivered by Hafiz Maulana Kamal Uddin, the Imam and Khatib of the same mosque. Eid Through Generations: A three-dimensional celebration in Dhaka SMP’s Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media), Mohammad Saiful Islam, said, “The sacred Eid ul-Fitr congregation was held at the Shahi Eidgah with the participation of thousands of worshippers under adequate security arrangements.” Notably, the sermon and the supplication following the prayers were led by the renowned scholar of the subcontinent, Shaykhul Hadith Allama Mufti Rashidur Rahman Faruk (Baruni). During the prayer’s conclusion, worshippers raised their hands in heartfelt supplication, seeking forgiveness for their sins. Many were moved to tears as they prayed for peace, welfare, and the well-being of the nation, as well as for the Muslim community worldwide. After the prayer, a spirit of unity and warmth filled the air as worshippers greeted each other with hugs, creating a harmonious atmosphere across the Eidgah grounds. The congregation at the Eidgah saw the participation of various political leaders, senior administrative officials, journalists, and people from different professions, all coming together to offer their prayers. This year, Sylhet’s second-largest Eid congregation was held at the Dargah Hazrat Shah Jalal (R.) shrine mosque, while the third-largest congregation took place at the Aliya Madrasa field. In addition to these, Eid congregations were also held at Kudrat Ullah Jame Masjid, Shah Paran (R.) shrine mosque, and the Tabligh Jamaat gathering place at Khozarakhla Jame Masjid. According to the police administration, a total of 2,846 Eid congregations took place in Eidgahs and mosques throughout Sylhet district and city. Of these, 392 congregations were held in Sylhet city, with 305 held in mosques and 87 in Eidgah. In the wider Sylhet district, 2,454 Eid congregations took place, with 2,043 in mosques and 411 in Eidgah. This information was confirmed by both the Sylhet District and Metropolitan Police and the Islamic Foundation. Given the changed circumstances this year, the Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) and district police established a special security ring for the first Eid celebration. Strict security measures were also implemented for the Eid congregations and in the subsequently quieter city and tourist spots. To ensure safety, the police established a four-layer security ring around the Eid congregations. Traffic and patrol police were stationed at checkpoints, and thorough searches were conducted in the Eidgah grounds and surrounding areas. 6 lakh devotees offer Eid prayer in Kishoreganj’s Sholakia ground Additionally, all police units remained on high alert to prevent crimes such as house thefts, highway robberies, and muggings in the deserted streets. The Tourist Police were also prepared to provide enhanced security in tourist areas.

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.

A congregation of Eid-ul-Fitr,  the  second largest religious festival of Muslims, will be held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad at 8am on the Eid day. Muslim devotees have been asked to present there in time, said a press release of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat on Thursday. Eid Travel: Train passenger numbers surge ahead of festivities Depending on the sighting of the moon, the holy Eid-ul-Fitr is expected to be celebrated on March 31 or April 1.    

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.     

President Abdul Hamid on Sunday offered Eid-ul-Azha prayers along with his family members and officials at the Hallway (Darbar Hall) of Bangabhaban.   Pesh Imam of Bangabhaban Jame Mosque Mufti Maulana Saiful Kabir conducted the Eid prayers in the morning, the press wing of the president’s office said.   He offered his prayers maintaining Covid-19 health guidelines, including keeping social distance amid a rise in the infections.   The president avoided taking part in the traditional Eid prayers in the capital's National Eidgah Maidan due to Covid situation, the press wing said.   Many state programmes were also curtailed for this reason.   A special munajat was offered seeking divine blessings for peace and progress of Bangladesh and welfare of the people as well as the Muslim Ummah.   Doa was offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other members of his family on August 15 in 1975, and the war martyrs of 1971.   After the prayers, President Hamid spent his time with his family members at the presidential palace.   Read: President Hamid unveils inaugural envelope of census

The main congregation of Eid-ul-Azha, the  second largest religious festival of Muslims, will be held at the National Eidgah on the High Court premises at 8am on the Eid day. However, if weather remains unfavourable or the main congregation is not held at the National Eidgah for any other reason the main congregation will be held at 8:30 am at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. Also read:No shortage of spices in market ahead of Eid: Spice Traders Association The decision was taken at an inter-ministerial meeting on Eid-ul-Azha celebrations headed by State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan at the Secretariat on Sunday. Depending on the sighting of the moon, the holy Eid-ul-Azha is expected to be celebrated on July 10. Also read: Traders urged to keep market stable ahead of Eid-ul-Azha

The largest Eid congregation at Sholakia Eidgah Maidan in Kishoreganj will be held at 10am on Eid day, after a Covid-induced hiatus of two years. Kishoreganj deputy commissioner Md Shamim Alam, also the president of the Eidgah Management Committee, said this on Thursday after inspecting the maidan ahead of the 195th Eid-ul-Fitr prayers. Also read: Thick security blanket for Eid Jamaat at Sholakia Eidgah Maidan Maulana Farid Uddin Masud will lead the Eid congregation and Maulana Shoaib bin A Rauf will be the standby Imam. Worshipers will be allowed to enter the maidan with only prayer mats and masks. They will, however, be allowed to carry their mobile phones.

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.