Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival for Muslims worldwide, will be celebrated on Friday or Saturday, depending on the sighting of the new moon. In Bangladesh, the government has approved a seven-day holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr from March 17 to March 23, after declaring March 18 a public holiday in addition to the previously-decided Eid break. Considering the exodus of millions from the capital, the week-long holiday seems justified. However, there are some concerns about the extended holiday.
Though the holiday applies to all government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous, and private offices, many will not enjoy it fully. The holiday does not apply to emergency services, which will get a shorter holiday. Emergency services include electricity, water, gas and other fuel supply, fire services, port operations, sanitation, telephone, internet, postal, and medical services. Medical, security, and transport personnel in these services will also not get a holiday. Many law enforcement agencies will be on duty on Eid day. However, they will be compensated financially.
With government offices closed, private commercial entities and factories that have to remain open even on holidays will face difficulties. Many export-oriented apparel and other factories operate until the day before Eid. Workers do not get breaks and wait until the last minute to receive their wages. For them, Eid day is just a weekend. Those who can manage will leave for their villages the next day.
Over the decades, failure to decentralise administrative and economic activities has forced millions to migrate to Dhaka for work, education and health care. When they return to their areas across the country, the Eid exodus becomes challenging every year. Traffic jams on roads and highways along with delays on board transports, make the Eid journey difficult and risky.
The inability or unwillingness of successive governments over the last five decades to develop an efficient public transport system is another key factor behind the sufferings of the home-bound travellers during Eid journeys. Without fast and efficient commuter trains, many people from nearby districts like Narayanganj, Gazipur, and Tangail have moved to Dhaka, adding pressure on the city's infrastructure. These people also join the Eid exodus. The week-long holiday has become necessary to partially address this issue.
A few things need to be re-examined to rationalise the week-long holiday for the economy. For example, all offices should remain open on the first Saturday after Eid vacation. Opinion may also be sought from Islamic scholars on the necessity of declaring 27th of Ramadan as holiday. The night before is generally observed as Lailatul-Qadr, the holiest of nights considered by Muslims in Bangladesh and South Asia.
Now, many Islamic scholars are of the view that Lailatul-Qadr is not necessarily on the night of 27th Ramadan; instead, it is necessary for Muslims to offer some additional prayer seeking the mercy of almighty Allah every night of the last ten days of Ramadan. They draw these opinions from Quranic indications and the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
So, the Eid holiday may start from 28th of Ramadan instead of the 27th, making it a six-day holiday. Islam stresses hard work, honesty and integrity in livelihoods, and encourages the optimal use of time. Only the government and a few private offices get the 27th Ramadan holiday. Many people are deprived of the break.
The five-day Eid holiday for the newspaper industry is a welcome decision. However, to keep the online and digital presence active during the vacation, some journalists have to sacrifice their holiday. For them, the financial compensation is inadequate, as they receive only regular overtime charges. A home office may provide some relief.
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