Dhaka, Mar 20 (V7N) – The biggest religious festival of the Muslim community, Eid-ul-Fitr, will be celebrated across Bangladesh tomorrow, Saturday, following a month of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. The decision was confirmed by the National Moon Sighting Committee at a meeting held on Thursday at the Islamic Foundation Bangladesh conference room, Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad presided over the meeting and extended greetings to the Muslim Ummah and the nation.

Officials present at the meeting included Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Munshi Alauddin Al Azad, Director General of Islamic Foundation A. Salam Khan, Director General (West Asia) Md. Humayun Kabir, and other senior officials.

According to Islamic Foundation Public Relations Officer Muhammad Nizam Uddin, Eid-ul-Fitr will be observed after 30 days of fasting, in line with Sharia guidelines. Preparations for Eid congregations have already been completed nationwide by both government and private initiatives.

Main Eid Congregations in the Capital

The main Eid congregation in Dhaka will be held at National Eidgah Maidan under the management of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) at 8:30 am. If adverse weather or other circumstances prevent the congregation, it will be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 9 am.

Mufti Muhammad Abdul Malek, Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, will lead the main congregation, with Dr. Maulana Md. Abu Saleh Patwari as the alternate imam. President Md. Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman are expected to join the prayers.

Arrangements have been made for 35,000 worshippers, including 3,500 women, with separate entrances, reserved spaces for ablution and prayers, and medical facilities. DMP Acting Commissioner Md. Sarwar confirmed that security measures, including CCTV surveillance, barricades, archways, metal detectors, and patrolling, have been deployed around the Eidgah Maidan.

In addition, the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) will hold its central Eid congregation at 8 am at the old Trade Fair Ground, Agargaon. Separate arrangements for women, ablution facilities, and security measures have been ensured.

Baitul Mukarram and Other Major Congregations

At Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, five Eid congregations will be held in phases at 7 am, 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, and 11:45 am. Senior imams and officials, including Maulana Mizanur Rahman, Mufti Muhibullahil Baki Nadvi, Maulana Md. Zakir Hossain, Maulana Zobayer Ahmed Al Azhari, and Maulana Mohammad Abdullah, will lead the prayers in rotation. Maulana Shahidul Islam will serve as an alternate imam.

The National Parliament South Plaza will host an 8 am Eid congregation, attended by parliament officials, MPs, and citizens. Dhaka University Central Mosque will hold two congregations at 8 am and 9 am, led by senior imams.

Preparations are also complete at Sholakia Ground in Kishoreganj, the country’s largest Eid congregation, which will host over 300,000 worshippers in its 199th annual observance. Mufti Abul Khair Mohammad Saifullah will lead the congregation, with Maulana Zubair Ibn Abdul Hai as the alternate imam.

Nationwide Arrangements

The seven-day government holiday began on Tuesday for Eid. National flags and “Eid Mubarak” banners are displayed across government, semi-government, and private institutions. Special programs will be broadcast on Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, and private channels, while newspapers will publish Eid editions.

Government and private institutions, including hospitals, prisons, orphanages, old age homes, and welfare centers, will provide high-quality meals to beneficiaries. Bangladesh embassies abroad will celebrate Eid with appropriate religious and cultural events.

Special arrangements have also been made for underprivileged children to visit museums, parks, and historical sites in Dhaka without tickets. A children’s reunion program has been organized at Bangladesh Shishu Academy to share the joy of Eid.

Muslims across the country are now preparing to offer Eid prayers in congregation, sharing joy, peace, and blessings with family members and the wider community.

END/SMA/AJ