DHAKA: The holy Eid-ul-Azha, the second biggest religious festival of the Muslims, is being celebrated across the country Wednesday (August 22).

The Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated on the 10th of Zilhajj of the Hizri calendar to commemorate the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). He, on this day some 4,000 years ago, 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 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 example of sacrifice to please Allah as shown by two great prophets -- - Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS).

The government has taken elaborate programs to observe Eid-ul-Azha across the country with due solemnity and religious fervor.

The celebration will begin with Eid congregations across the country followed by sacrifice of cattle in the name of Allah.

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

BDST: 0951 HRS, AUG 22, 2018

AH