Eid-ul-Azha celebrated in somber mood

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DHAKA, Aug 1, 2020 (BSS) – The holy Eid-ul-Azha, one of the greatest
religious festivals of Muslim Ummah, was celebrated today in a somber
mood due to the coronavirus pandemic across the country.

Muslims celebrated the Eid festival, in line with the government’s
directives, including maintaining physical distancing, avoiding mass
gathering and abiding by the health rules as the country, like almost
all other world states, is at risk of the fatal COVID-19 outbreak.

The people had kept themselves confined in their limited respective
vicinities and offered prayers at only their nearest mosques.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued
separate messages, greeting Muslims in Bangladesh and all over the
world on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Azha.

They also urged the affluent and able people in the society to stand
by the flood-and-Corona affected people of the country.

Besides, opposition leader in parliament Begum Raushan Ershad also
greeted the nation on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul Azha.

The Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated on the 10th of Zilhajj month of the
Hizri calendar as Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), on this day, some 4,500 years
ago, offered to sacrifice his beloved son Hazrat Ismail (AS) who
willingly submitted to the will of his father to please the Almighty
Allah. But Allah in His benign mercy spared Hazrat Ismail (AS) and
instead sent a ram to be sacrificed.

To commemorate this historic event, the Muslims all over the world
slaughter sacrificial animals and draw inspiration from the unique
example of sacrifice to please Allah as shown by two great prophets
-Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS).

The festival appeared very unlikely to resemble that of previous
years as many countries banned the traditional Eid congregations as
part of anti-coronavirus measures.

The head of the state offered prayers of Eid-ul-Azha, the greatest
religious festival of Muslims, with his family members and some
important officials at the Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban.

The Eid jamaat (congregation) was held at 9:30 am. Pesh Imam of
Bangabhaban Jame Mosque Mufti Maulana Saiful Kabir conducted the Eid
prayers.

A special munajat was offered seeking divine blessings for peace
and progress of the country and welfare of the people as well as the
Muslim Ummah.

Like other mosques throughout the country, special doa was also
offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of those who died
of the fatal COVID-19, also wishing early recovery of the infected
ones throughout the country as well as across the world.

Doa was also offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of
Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other martyrs
who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the county and its people
in different democratic movements, particularly during the Liberation
War in 1971.

After the prayers, President Hamid spent time with his family
members at the Presidential palace.

The main congregation (jamaat) of Eid-ul-Azha was held at the Baitul
Mukarram National Mosque in the city at 7am by maintaining health code
in view of the ongoing cronavirus pandemic.

Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Senior Pesh Imam Hafez Moulana
Mizanur Rahman led the first Eid jamaat there.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle
Noor Taposh, Religious Ministry’s Secretary M Nurul Islam, DSCC Chief
Executive Officer Shah M Imdadul Haque and Director General (DG) of
Islamic Foundation Anis Mahmud, among others, took part in the namaz.

A total of six Eid congregations were held at the Baitul Mukarram
National Mosque. The first one was held at 7am, second at 8am, third
at 9am, fourth at 10am and the last one at 10.45am.

Meanwhile, two Eid congregations were held at the Dhaka University
campus – one at DU central mosque and others is at Dr Muhammad
Shahidullah Hall Jame Mosque – – at 8am, maintaining the health rules.

Besides, three Eid congregations were held at Gulshan Central Mosque
– at 6 am, 8 am and third one at 10 am.

An Eid congregation was held at Rajarbagh Police Lines Central Jame
Mosque at 8 am where Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Benazir
Ahmed offered his prayers.

At Mirpur Kazipara Central Jame Mosque, three Eid jamaats were held
respectively at 7am, 8am and 8:45 am

Adequate security measures have been taken for peaceful and smooth
celebration of the holy Eid-ul-Azha. The law enforcement agencies were
also asked to ensure smooth movement of vehicles on highways,
waterways and train routes.

Meanwhile, millions of people left the capital and other major
cities to celebrate Eid with their near and dear ones in their village
homes.

State-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar and other TV
channels and radio stations are broadcasting special programmes on the
Eid-ul-Azha.