Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated in Bangladesh

Muslims in Bangladesh have celebrated the Eid-ul-Fitr keeping with its spirit of peace and fellow feeling.

Meanwhile on Saturday, Hindus also celebrated ‘Rath Yatra’ in many parts of the country.

The celebrations of people from both the religions were trouble free in the country, which snatched independence from Pakistan in 1971 with the aim to break communal differences.

President Md Abdul Hamid in his message 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.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, "Eid teaches peace, sense of fellow feeling and fraternity."

The Muslims gathered to offer Eid prayers in the morning, despite rain.

The largest congregation was held at Kishoreganj’s Sholakia like the previous years.

The main congregation in the capital was held at National Eidgah, adjacent to the Supreme Court. The president was among the devotees who took part in it.

One Rahimul Islam, who claimed to have been offering prayers there for past 11 years, told bdnews24.com: “I didn’t want to miss this time. So I laid my prayer rug on the wet street.”

Many of those who could not take part in the prayers there went to the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, where five congregations were held.

Law enforcers were seen securing the National Eidgah braving the rain.

Prime Minister Hasina praised their efforts and thanked them for trouble free shopping before the Eid.

President Hamid exchanged greetings with guests at Bangabhaban after the prayers.

Prime Minister Hasina shared the Eid joy with people from all walks of life at Ganabhaban.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia exchanged greetings with diplomats and people at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

She said the government failed to keep prices of commodities and law and order under control. She expressed disappointment for these.

After the end of the Eid prayers, the Hindu devotees started pulling the chariot of Lord Jagannath.

The celebration will end on July 26 with the return journey of the Rath.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Biren Sikder took part in a discussion organised at the Swamibagh ISKCON Ashram on the occasion.

The procession was taken out after the discussion. It travelled through Tikatuli, Ittefaq intersection, Dainik Bangla intersection, Purana Paltan, Press Club, TSC to Dhakeshwari Temple.

People started to throng the amusement centres in Dhaka after the Eid prayers.

The children’s parks were the most crowded places. Many went to cinema halls.

Special menus were served at hospitals, children’s homes, and jails.

Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television are broadcasting special programmes on the occasion. The newspapers have also brought out special supplements.