In the backdrop of recent upsurge in militant violence and fear of repeat attacks at major prayer gatherings, Eid-ul-Azha, one of the largest annual religious festivals, was celebrated across the country amid tight security on Tuesday.
Law enforcers have taken tight security measures after the Holey Artisan Bakery attack in Gulshan on July 1 and the Sholakia Eid-ul-Fitr congregation attack in Kishoreganj on July 7, sources said.
Security forces had been deployed in all sensitive areas including big mosques and Eidgha Maidan where people in large number offer Eid ul-Azha prayer. Law enforcers have ramped up security for the celebrations marking Eid-ul-Azha, amid fear of possible militant attacks.
To celebrate Eid-ul-Azha in a peaceful environment, the government had put in place all security measures elsewhere in the country as well.
Thousands of security personnel have been drafted in to ensure the festival passes off peacefully, police officials said.
About 150,000 law enforcement personnel including the Rapid Action Battalion, an elite force, plainclothes detectives and border guards have been deployed across the country, according to Jalal Uddin Ahmed, Assistant Inspector General (media and public relations) of the police.
The main Eid congregation was held at the National Eidgah adjacent to the High Court in the capital city while the biggest one was at Sholakia in northern district of Kishoreganj.
President Abdul Hamid offered his prayer at the National Eidgah in the city. Political leaders, judges of the Supreme Court, diplomats from the Muslim countries, high civil and military officials and educationists offered their Eid-ul-Azha prayers on the National Eidgah Maidan.
The congregation was arranged by Dhaka South City Corporation. Special arrangements were made for women to offer their Eid prayer at the National Eidgah Maidan.
Five congregations were arranged at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque for the benefit of the worshippers.
Hundreds of people from all walks of life participated in the prayer at the National Eidgah Maidan and the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque despite heavy rainfall that began from Tuesday morning.
The biggest congregation of the country was held at Sholakia Eidgha Maidan in Kishoreganj. The Eid-jamaat was conducted by noted Islamic scholar Moulana M Farid Uddin Mashud. Tens of thousands of devotees from home and abroad joined the crowd. Special security measures were taken for the congregations keeping in the mind that the terrorist attacks at an Eid-crowd in Kishoreganj.
President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Raushan Ershad issued separate messages, greeting the Muslims in Bangladesh and all over the world on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.
