Eid joys descend on Bangladesh

Bangladesh will celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr on Tuesday as the Shawwal moon has been sighted.

Minister for Religious Affairs Motiur Rahman made the announcement of the moon-sighting on Monday evening, marking the end of Ramadan.

In the capital and all across the nation, the mood turned into that of festive joy as the announcement was made.

National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s song “Romzaner oi rojar sheshe...”, which has been an integral part of this event for generations now, was played from homes and neighbourhoods.

President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and opposition leader Raushon Ershad and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia have, in separate messages, greeted the people on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

The president will exchange Eid greetings with politicians at Bangabhaban from 10 in the morning. The BNP chief will meet people at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

US President Barack Obama has greeted the world’s Muslim community on the occasion of Eid.

Most Dhaka residents have left for their village and town homes to celebrate Eid with their families. The journey is usually harrowing, but there appeared to be fewer complaints this year.

Islamic Foundation’s moon-sighting committee was scheduled to meet on Monday, as the moon had already been sighted in the Middle East.

Reports of moon-sighting came in from Sherpur, Rajahshi and Rangpur before the committee could begin its meeting.

On Monday, Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Yemen and Libya observed Eid.

Eid congregations

The main Eid-ul-Fitr congregation in capital Dhaka will be held at the National Eidgah at 8:30am as usual.

National mosque Baitul Mukarram’s Khatib Maulana Mohammad Salahuddin will conduct the prayers to be joined by people from all social strata, including President Md Abdul Hamid.

Five Eid congregations will be held separately at the Baitul Mukarram at 7am, 8am, 9am, 10am and 11am, the Islamic Foundation said.

Apart from them, two congregations will be held at the Dhaka University Central Mosque at 8am and 9am.

Parliament’s South Plaza will hold three more congregations, starting at 8am.

The Dhaka City Corporation (South) has arranged 183 congregations in its 57 wards, while the DCC North has arranged 149 in 36 wards.

Like every year, Kishoreganj's Sholakia Eidgah is ready for Bangladesh’s biggest Eid congregation. Maulana Farid Uddin Masud will conduct the Eid prayers at 10am.

Government events

State-owned hospitals, children’s homes, disability centres, shelter homes, safe homes and jails will serve festive food for their residents.

The state-owned Bangladesh Betar and BTV will broadcast special shows on Eid day and for several days afterwards. Most newspapers have also published special editions or Eid magazines.

Local administrations will also host Eid events coordinating with the national level.