DHAKA: Eid-ul-Azha, one of the two biggest Muslim religious festivals, is being celebrated across the country Saturday amid religious fervour and gaiety.
This day, the 10th of Zilhajj some 4,000 years ago, Prophet Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) offered to sacrifice his beloved son Hazrat Ismail (AS) who willingly submitted to the will of his father to please Allah. But the Almighty in His benign mercy spared Hazrat Ismail (AS) and, instead, sent a ram to be sacrificed.
To commemorate this event, Muslims all over the world slaughter sacrificial animals and draw inspiration from the unique example of sacrifice to please Allah as shown by two prophets -- Hazrat Ibrahim (As) and Hazrat Ismail (AS).
All preparations have already been completed for celebrating the festival in a befitting manner.
On the occasion, President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in separate messages greeted the countrymen and the Muslim Ummah.
Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia and leaders of different political parties and socio-cultural organizations also greeted the people.
In his message, President Zillur Rahman wished the holy Eid-ul-Azha might bring welfare for all.
The President called upon all to follow the teachings and ideals of the holy Eid-ul-Azha in daily life.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said the grand instance set by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) by sacrificing his dearest thing for the satisfaction of Allah will be imitated and followed forever.
The day’s programme will begin with the offering of Eid prayers by millions of Muslims at open-air eidgahs and mosques across the country.
They will seek divine blessings of Almighty Allah for peace, progress and prosperity of the country and welfare of the Muslim Ummah.
In the capital, the main Eid jamat (congregation) of the holy Eid-ul-Azha was held at the National Eidgah on the High Court premises in the city at 8:30am where President Zillur Rahman, ministers, MPs and other distinguished persons will offer Eid prayers.
Law-enforcing agencies stepped up security measures to maintain law and order in and around the mammoth congregation.
"All the necessary arrangements were taken for Eid congregations, including car-parking facilities, supply of water and the setting up of information centre at the National Eidgah," said one DCC source.
At Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, five congregations are set at 7:00am, 8:30am, 9:30am, 10:00am and 10:45am.
Special diets was served at prisons, hospitals and orphanages on the occasion.
All the children’s parks under the DCC are remain open for the unprivileged and destitute children.
Additional contingents of law-enforcement agencies have been deployed at different points to ensure safety and security of the homebound passengers.
Meanwhile, a three-day closed holiday began Friday allowing people of all professions and classes to celebrate the holy fiesta of Eid-ul-Azha.
Newspapers will also not be published on three days—October 27, 28 and 29—as newspaper offices will remain closed during the three-day eid vacation.
However, electronic media and online news-portals, including banglanews24.com, are serving news under special arrangements.
BDST: 1000 HRS, OCT 27, 2012
Edited by: Kaiser Ahmed/ Abul Kalam Azad, Newsroom Editor
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