Prayers for world peace at Eid congregation

After the end of the morning prayer service, Muslim devotees greeted each other with the traditional embrace

With calls for sacrifice and a message of joy, another Eid-ul-Azha has ushered in days of festivities for millions of Muslims of all ages, classes, and professions.

The main congregation was held at the National Eidgah Maidan at 7:30am on Monday. Khatib Mufti Ruhul Amin of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque acted as the imam for the service.

At the end of the initial prayers, devotees prayed for world peace, and the wellbeing of the country, and the nation. They also sought Allah’s protection from ‘Bala and Musibah’ – Arabic terms that refer to afflictions, distress, misfortune, and adversity.

Dignitaries, including President Mohammed Shahabuddin, Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, members of the cabinet, members of parliament, Supreme Court and High Court justices, political leaders, senior government officials, diplomats of various countries, and thousands of people from various professions participated in the main Eid-ul-Azha congregation at the National Eidgah Maidan.

The line for the congregation stretched out of the main gate of the Supreme Court premises from around dawn. They filed into the grounds in an orderly manner. The Eidgah was full before the prayer service began.

Afterwards, devotees embraced, according to tradition.

The Dhaka South City Corporation has arranged for about 35,000 people to attend the prayer service. A separate section was also organised for women.

Extensive security measures were in place around the main Eid congregation. Law enforcing agencies had deployed many personnel in the surrounding area.

Every year, five congregations are held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka on the day of Eid-ul-Azha. Imam Hafez Maulana Ihsanul Haq led the first congregation there at 7am.

At the end of the Eid prayer, prayers were also said for the welfare, happiness, peace, and prosperity of Muslims across the world, the country, and the nation. Prayers were also offered for the Palestinians injured, killed and displaced by the brutal Israeli offensive.

As forecast by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the morning sky was cloudy in Dhaka.

The forecast also predicted that the capital may see some light rain at any point in the day. Thankfully for devotees, the rain did not fall in the morning.

Following the morning prayers, Muslims take on the task of sacrificing animals. The Dhaka city corporations have designated particular locations for the ritual. Scenes of the sacrifices could be seen in streets and alleys across the city.

The two city corporations have taken on the challenge of removing the nearly 39,000 tonnes of waste generated by the sacrifices and the cattle markets as soon as possible.

Waste removal will begin at 2pm. The Dhaka North City Corporation has set an ambitious target of cleaning the city within six hours, while the Dhaka South City Corporation has set a target of 24 hours.

Eid is a national festival and a three-day public holiday in Muslim-majority Bangladesh. About half a million people from Dhaka return to their home villages on the occasion to celebrate Eid with their families.

In his Eid message, President Shahabuddin urged the rich to stand beside those of low income.

Greeting his countrymen on Eid, he said, "Eid-ul-Azha instils in us the mentality of giving and self-sacrifice, awakens the spirit of sharing happiness and sorrow with family and neighbours and teaches tolerance."

The president also spoke of current global realities in his message.

"Many people in different parts of the world are passing their days in struggle and hardship. In many parts of the world, including Palestine’s Gaza, people are living in extreme uncertainty. They go hungry, starve, and are deprived of medical care.”

“Their lives are spent in deep grief and great suffering due to the loss of their families. We must think about them too. We should do all we can to provide support and help to alleviate their suffering. We must try to ensure that they too can take part in the joy of Eid."

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Eid Mubarak to all the people of the country.

"The sole wish of the Eid festival is that Muslims at all stages of life experience sacrifice, self-purification, moderation, amity and harmony. May the life of every person be filled with happiness and the endless joy of Eid.”

"I hope Eid will bring joy to the lives of all, rich and poor alike. Let us all keep the message of the holy Eid-ul-Azha in our hearts, use our positions to do work that benefits the people and build the non-sectarian, prosperous, modern, smart Bangladesh that was the lifelong dream of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib.”

President Shahabuddin joined the main Eid congregation at the National Eidgah Maidan in the morning. From 10:30am to 12:00pm he will exchange Eid greetings at the Bangabhaban's Credential Hall with people from all walks of life.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina exchanged Eid greetings with leaders and activists of Awami League and allied organisations at the Gonobhaban at 9:30am.