Eid-ul-Fitr colours ease fears in Bangladesh

A year after a terror attack near the largest Eid congregation ground at Kishoreganj's Sholakia, the biggest festival of the Muslims, Eid-ul-Fitr, is upon Bangladesh again.

This Eid, being celebrated on Monday after a month of fasting and reflection, comes with the call for harmony and amity overcoming the threats of terror.

President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, greeting the nation on the occasion, have hoped that the Eid will bring joy to all by eliminating distrust and conflict.

Last year, a week before the Eid-ul-Fitr, 22 people including 17 foreigners were killed in an attack on Holey Artisan Bakery and O' Kitchen, an upscale restaurant at Dhaka's Gulshan.

Another attack followed on Eid day, Jul 7, right before prayers were to begin at the Sholakia congregation in Kishoreganj. Four including two policemen and a woman were killed when terrorists attacked a police despatch just some 250 metres from the ground.

In the aftermath of these attacks, more than 50 alleged terrorists were killed during raids by security forces after the government launched a crackdown on Islamist militants.

Security agencies are giving priority to the safety of the people during this Eid. Those who will pray in Eid congregations have been asked not to bring anything except their prayer mats.

The Rapid Action Battalion or RAB, the Ansar strike force and other agencies will work to beef up the security in the capital along with the police.

Eid on Monday marks the end of Ramadan in 29 days, a day after Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states commemorate it.

According to Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader, around eight million Dhaka residents have gone to their town and village homes to celebrate the Eid, leaving the city in a serene state with a holiday mood prevailing all around.

With the weekend added to the three-day Eid holidays, people made it to their homes, suffering less than usual during the journey.

The festivities, however, began on Sunday evening after Religious Affairs Minister Matior Rahman announced the sighting of the Shawwal moon.

Tens of millions of Muslims across Bangladesh are expected to join Eid congregations at prayer grounds and mosques from early Monday.

The main congregation in Dhaka will be held at the National Eidgah ground at 8:30am. Baitul Mukarram National Mosque's Senior Imam Maulana Md Mizanur Rahman will conduct the prayers.

But in the event of bad weather, the main prayer will be held inside Baitul Mukarram from 9am.

President Md Abdul Hamid, judges, cabinet members, MPs and politicians are expected to join regular worshippers at the congregation.

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

Last year, despite the attack at Sholakia, the prayers continued. On Monday, law enforcers said they would be on the highest alert there while Moulana Farid Uddin Masud leads the congregation set to start at 10am.

But the 9am congregation at Dinajpur's Gor-e-Shahid ground might exceed Sholakia in terms of attendance this year as authorities made arrangement for 500,000 to pray at the ground. The Sholakia ground and its surrounding areas usually host nearly 300,000 worshippers.

Authorities in every district and Upazila have formed volunteer teams to ensure trouble-free Eid congregations in their localities.

The Met office has said that Dhaka is likely to enjoy a sunny morning on the Eid day, but it may rain in the afternoon.

President Hamid will exchange greetings with guests at Bangabhaban at 10am after the prayers.

Prime Minister Hasina will share the Eid joy with people from all walks of life, followed by judges and foreign diplomats, at Ganabhaban starting from 9am.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is also set to exchange greetings with people and diplomats at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, starting from 12pm.

Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Raushon Ershad and Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad will exchange Eid greetings in the party office at Banani from 11am.

Hamid in a message to the people on the occasion emphasised the teachings of the Eid. The rich, the poor, the elite, and the common masses share the happiness of Eid together, he said.

"I wish the teachings of the Eid will spread among all and Bangladesh will flourish."

Hasina in her message said, "Eid teaches peace, sense of fellow feeling and fraternity."

She hoped the coming days will be better and peaceful for the world.

BNP chief Khaleda in a tweet on Sunday evening wished everyone a happy Eid.

On Sunday, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states celebrated Eid along with Muslims in Japan, Malaysia, the US, the UK, Italy, France, Spain and Germany.

More than a hundred villages across Bangladesh celebrated Eid on Sunday in keeping with a tradition of commemorating all religious festivals with Saudi Arabia.

On the occasion of the Eid, special menus will be served at state-run hospitals, children’s homes, shelters, safe homes and jails.

Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and other private TV and radio stations will broadcast special programmes. The newspapers also brought out special supplements on Sunday.