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Published : 21 Mar 2026, 02:10 AM
Muslims across Bangladesh are set to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Saturday after a month of fasting that tested their resolve on multiple fronts.
This test was felt most strongly with the beginning of the crisis in the Middle East, a region where millions of Bangladeshi expatriates toil to support their families back home.
Initiated by the US and Israel, the crisis has not only sparked anxiety over the safety of loved ones abroad but has also reignited fears of a fresh energy crisis.
Yet, despite facing these challenges, the atmosphere across the country has transitioned into one of joy.
Defying the gloom of geopolitical and economic instability, people have remained generous, sharing what they have with the less fortunate through Zakat and Fitra.
Markets buzzed with last-minute shoppers and millions journeyed to their ancestral villages, the nation appeared ready to celebrate one of the biggest national holidays.
For the first time in three and a half decades, the president and the prime minister are scheduled to attend the main Eid congregation together at the National Eidgah on Saturday morning.
They will be joined by Supreme Court justices, cabinet members, and citizens from all walks of life in a prayer expected to be dominated by pleas for global peace and an end to the escalating wars.
On the occasion of Eid, special meals will be served on Saturday at government institutions across the country, including public hospitals, prisons, children’s homes, safe homes, and homeless centres.
Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, and private television channels are broadcasting special programmes for several days before and after Eid.
Long Holidays, Stormy Skies
The government has declared Mar 18 a public holiday by executive order.
This adds to the previously announced five-day holiday, taking the total to seven days.
If anyone also takes leave on Mar 24 and Mar 25, the holiday could be extended, combined with Independence Day on Mar 26 and the weekly holiday.
The long holidays allowed approximately 15 million people to leave the capital for their ancestral homes.
This includes BNP leaders, who have returned to their constituencies to celebrate in a new political atmosphere.
On the other side of celebrations, many Awami League activists remain absent from their homes, either languishing in jail or staying hidden since the change in power.
Adding to the unease, meteorologists have predicted a volatile Eid day.
After two days of pre-Eid storms, the Met Office warned of potential hailstorms and rain at places across all eight divisions, including Dhaka, on Saturday.
Eid Travels
The Nilsagar Express was carrying Eid travellers from Dhaka to Nilphamari’s Chilahati at 6:45am on Wednesday.
Shortly after, the train derailed in Adamdighi Upazila, with nine coaches coming off the tracks.
Direct train connectivity from Dhaka to some northern districts was suspended because of the accident.
Rail officials said it took around 22 hours to restore service on the line.
As a result, passengers on two northern-bound trains faced severe delays at Dhaka’s Kamalapur Railway Station on Thursday morning.
Later, on Wednesday afternoon, an engine-driven boat carrying passengers was squeezed between two launches at Dhaka’s Sadarghat.
The incident killed two passengers. One of the passengers’ wife, who is pregnant, remains in hospital in serious condition.
Amid Eid travels, comments by Road Transport, Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam about bus fares have drawn criticism.
“I didn't find anyone charging more than the fixed fare anywhere,” he said on the topic of public transport operators overcharging travellers.
However, the Passenger Welfare Association said that fares on 87 percent of buses and minibuses have been increased this Eid.
Overall, travellers are estimated to have paid an extra Tk 1.218 billion in fares during the Eid journey alone.
Eid Shopping
Shopkeepers and buyers say there is a sense of “comfort” in both the atmosphere and transactions at Eid markets.
Helal Uddin, president of the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association, told bdnews24.com that although many buyers were not fully satisfied with their shopping due to the halt in garment imports from India, the situation has turned out to be positive for domestic industries.
Eid Greetings
President Mohammed Sahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman extended Eid greetings to the people of the country and Muslims worldwide.
In his message, Shahabuddin expressed hope that the teachings of Eid, peace, harmony, equality, and brotherhood would provide "new momentum and inspiration" in the journey toward building a "new Bangladesh".
"Through great sacrifice and struggle, the journey towards establishing a non-discriminatory, humane, and democratic Bangladesh has begun," the president said in his message.
"We are moving forward in the quest to build a just, prosperous, and self-reliant nation."
Acknowledging the "unintended impact" of international economic instability on Bangladesh, the head of state noted the government is handling the situation with the highest priority.
He called upon the wealthy and affluent sections of society to stand by the poor and underprivileged as the country navigates the adverse impacts of the global energy and economic crises.
In his first Eid message as head of government, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said: “"This month-long practice teaches us self-control and to feel others’ plight. Through this, society nurtures compassion and bilateral cooperation."
“The significance of Eid lies in the fact that it reflects the Ramadan teachings on individuals, families, society, and the state. Eid urges us to forget disparities like rich and poor, big and small and to come together with a bonding of love and brotherhood.”
“On this joyous day, we should stand beside the helpless, poor and disadvantaged people in society and share our Eid happiness with them… this should be our pledge,” he said.
Eid Prayers
The country’s main Eid congregation will be held at the National Eidgah for 35,000 devotees at 8:30am.
In case of inclement weather or other unavoidable reasons, the congregation will be held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 9am.
Five consecutive congregations will be held at Baitul Mukarram.
Eid prayers will be held at the old trade fair ground in Agargaon under the initiative of the Dhaka North City Corporation.
Across the capital, 1,771 congregations will be held in 121 Eidgah grounds and 1,599 mosques in Dhaka.
Every year, the country's largest Eid congregation is held at Sholakia Ground in Kishoreganj. This year, the 199th Eid congregation will be held there.
As always, the railway authorities have arranged two special trains called “Sholakia Special” to facilitate travel to this Eid congregation.
In Dhaka, prayers will be held at the parliament’s south plaza at 8am. Apart from MPs, officials and employees of the Parliament Secretariat and locals will offer Eid prayers there.
Two congregations will be held at the central mosque of Dhaka University, with the first one scheduled at 8am, and the second one at 9am.
Separate congregations will be held at the university's Salimullah Muslim, Dr Muhammad Shahidullah and Fazlul Huq Muslim halls at 8am.
Eid prayers will be held at the Bangladesh Medical University’s central mosque at 8am.
The first and main congregation of Chittagong city will be held at the Jamiatul Falah National Mosque premises at 8am.
