Nation celebrates Eid-ul-Fitr today

Muslims in Bangladesh are set to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Saturday with due solemnity and festivity.

The celebration of Eid marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting and abstinence.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people left the capital and its adjacent areas for their ancestral homes across the country to celebrate the biggest religious festival with their near and dear ones, as the government announced a seven-day public holiday from 17 March.

On the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, in separate messages, have greeted the countrymen.

The main Eid congregation will be held at the National Eidgah on the High Court premises at 8:30am. 

Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, Mufti Muhammad Abdul Malek, will lead the prayers. As an alternate imam, Islamic Foundation's Mufassir Maulana Md Abu Saleh Patwari will remain prepared. 

Both the president and the prime minister will offer prayers at the National Eidgah. Besides, the chief justice, cabinet members, judges of the Supreme Court, senior political leaders, and high-level civil and military officials will also offer prayers there. Arrangements have also been made for women. 

Members of the police, Rapid Action Battalion, and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed to ensure overall security at the Eidgah. Besides, Special Security Force (SSF) members are working for the security of VVIPs.  

In addition, a total of five Eid congregations will be held sequentially at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 7am, 8am, 9am, 10am, and 10:45am.

Authorities have kept alternative arrangements in place in case the main congregation cannot be held at the National Eidgah, with prayers to be shifted to the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque if necessary.

A congregation of holy Eid-ul-Fitr will be held at 8am at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Members of parliament, officials, and staff of the JS Secretariat, and devotees from the surrounding areas will participate in the prayer. This year, a separate prayer arrangement has been made for women there.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that rain and thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind and lightning flashes are likely to occur at a few places across all eight divisions on Eid day. 

Hailstorms may also lash a few places in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions, the Met office said.

Eid-ul-Fitr is an Arabic word meaning "festival of breaking the fast".

The festival is celebrated by visiting friends and relatives, hosting meals, and sharing sweets.

Children not only get new clothes and shoes but also receive cash gifts called "salami" from their elders, relatives, and well-wishers.

The occasion is viewed as a time of forgiveness and gratitude to Almighty Allah for helping people complete their month-long spiritual fasting.

Many Muslims distribute cash and food among the less fortunate.

Marking the Eid festival, television channels and radio stations have arranged special programmes.

Additionally, special meals will be served at hospitals, jails, centres for persons with disabilities, shelter homes, orphanages, and welfare centres for vagrants and the destitute.