Published : 28 May 2026, 04:06 PM
Updated : 28 Aug 2026, 01:34 AM
Another festival of sacrifice has arrived, with millions of Muslims of all ages and walks of life joining Eid-ul-Azha prayers at Eidgah grounds and mosques across Bangladesh.
The main national congregation was held at the National Eidgah ground at 7:30am on Thursday, led by Baitul Mukarram National Mosque's Khatib Mufti Mohammad Abdul Malek.
Raising his hands in supplication after prayers, he said: "O Allah, protect all our oppressed brothers from tyranny and imprison the oppressors. Only You can deliver the finest justice against the wrongdoers."
He also prayed: "Muslims in different countries of the world are being oppressed, unable to worship freely -- protect them from this tyranny, O Allah. Protect this country, protect the entire Muslim world.
“O Lord, grant the government of Bangladesh more courage, good intentions, and honest resolve. Accept our worship and prayers."
President Mohammed Shahabuddin, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, political figures, senior government officials, foreign diplomats, and thousands of people from all walks of life took part in the morning congregation at the National Eidgah.
After prayers and supplications, everyone embraced one another and exchanged Eid greetings in the traditional fashion.
Worshippers queued outside the main gate from dawn, with the ground filling well before prayers began.
Children arrived hand in hand with their parents, with many families spreading large sheets and mats to pray together.
Entry was orderly, with worshippers passing through archway security checks at the main gate.
A security cordon was set up around Matsya Bhaban, Bangabazar, Paltan, and GPO intersection to manage entry and exit.
The Dhaka South City Corporation organised the event for around 35,000 devotees, with separate provisions for women.
As in previous years, five Eid congregations are scheduled at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, beginning at 7am, followed by prayers at 8am, 9am, 10am and 10:45am.
The first prayer has already been completed, followed by collective supplication for the welfare of the Muslim Ummah.
Although the Met Office forecast morning showers in certain regions, the overcast skies over the capital did not disrupt the plans of those arriving for the service.
Once the prayers concluded, citizens shifted their focus to the ritual sacrifice of animals.
The Dhaka city corporations did not designate specific slaughter zones this year, leading to traditional scenes of sacrifices being carried out across streets and alleyways.
With the sacrifices and cattle markets expected to generate over 50,000 tonnes of waste, the two city corporations have taken up the challenge of swift removal, aiming to clear all refuse within the day.
In Muslim-majority Bangladesh, Eid has evolved into a universal national festival.
To ease the holiday rush, the government declared a continuous seven-day holiday, prompting over 10 million people to leave Dhaka for their ancestral villages to celebrate with relatives.
In his official Eid message, President Shahabuddin urged citizens to share the joys of the festival with the poor and marginalised.
"Through the equitable distribution of sacrificial meat among relatives, neighbours, and the poor, a sense of partnership, reduced inequality, compassion, and brotherhood is awakened in society.
“Eid-ul-Azha helps provide protein for the poor throughout the year and gives the national economy a broad boost," he said, urging people to sacrifice animals and dispose of waste at designated spots.
Tarique, in his Eid message, prayed for peace, harmony, and security worldwide. "On this holy Eid ul-Azha, I pray to Allah that He accept our sacrifices. May He grant peace, security, and stability to our motherland, the entire Muslim world, and all of humanity.
“May this blessed Eid-ul-Azha shine with the glory of sacrifice. May Allah accept our sacrifices and worship, and fill our lives with His boundless mercy, peace, and prosperity.”
The president is scheduled to exchange Eid greetings with political leaders, diplomats and senior officials at Bangabhaban between 11am and 12pm.
The prime minister has no formal exchange programme planned and is expected to visit the graves of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia after prayers before attending the traditional "Boro Khana" feast hosted by the armed forces at Dhaka Cantonment.
