Eid-ul-Azha tomorrow-

The holy Eid-ul-Azha, the second biggest religious festival of the Muslims, will be celebrated in the country tomorrow (Sunday) with due solemnity and religious fervor, report agencies.

The Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated on the 10th day of Zilhajj month of the Hizri calendar as Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), on this day, offered to sacrifice his beloved son Hazrat Ismail (AS) who willingly submitted to the will of his father to please Almighty Allah some 4,500 years back.

But the Almighty in His benign mercy spared Hazrat Ismail (AS) and instead sent a ram to be sacrificed.

To commemorate this historic event, the Muslims across the world offer prayers in congregations and sacrifice animals in the name of Almighty Allah on the day.

They also offer munajat seeking divine blessings for peace, progress, prosperity and welfare of the Muslim Ummah.

Hundreds of thousands of people have already left the capital for their village homes to observe the second biggest religious festival of the Muslims, and made the city of over 20 million people almost empty on Friday evening.

Meanwhile, there will be five jamaats at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque on the day of Eid-ul-Azha.

Islamic Foundation, Bangladesh revealed the schedule in a press release.

The local administrations in consultation with public representatives and local dignitaries will take decision whether Eid prayers would be held at mosques, Eidgahs or open fields.

Meanwhile, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today greeted countrymen as well as the Muslims across the globe on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Azha.

On the eve of the day, they issued separate messages praying that the holy Eid-ul-Azha brings good for all with the rise of the ideology of sacrifice.

In his message, the President said: "Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) has set an incomparable example of love, obedience and sacrifice to Allah by taking steps to sacrifice his beloved son Hazrat Ismail (AS) at the directive of Allah."

"Azha means Qurbani (sacrifice)," he said, adding that sacrifice instills the spirit of self-sacrifice into all and also teaches them the spirit of sharing happiness and sorrow with relatives and neighbors.

The President said this year the Eid-ul-Azha is being celebrated at a time when the world community is distraught witnessing a catastrophe arisen out of coronavirus pandemic as many people are in hardship at different parts of the world, including Bangladesh.

In the last two years, the whole world, including Bangladesh, celebrated Eid-ul-Azha amidst the horrors of the corona pandemic, the head of the state said.

"Coronavirus infections are under control at present but there is a need to take appropriate precautions to prevent future infections," he added.

He urged the affluent people of the country to stand by the people affected by the coronavirus pandemic so that they can enjoy the holy Eid.

The President also called upon the citizens to sacrifice their animals in government designated places.

He hoped that everyone will try to prevent the environment pollution by removing the waste of sacrificial animals after Qurbani.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said: "On the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, I am extending my greetings to all the Muslims across the globe, including Bangladesh. I want to say 'Eid Mubarak' (to all)."

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also called upon the Muslims to be imbued with the spirit of the holy Eid-ul-Azha to participate in welfare-oriented activities to establish a discrimination-free, happy, prosperous and peaceful Bangladesh.

She said the unique instance set by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) by sacrificing his dearest thing for the satisfaction of Allah will be imitated and followed forever.

Through the festival, the capable Muslims establish the bonding of sympathy and equality among the mankind by distributing meat of their sacrificial animals among relatives and neighbors, she added.

Noting that the coronavirus is becoming dangerous again, she said: "Allah tests patience of human being in crisis. During this time, we will have to extend cooperation to one another keeping endless patience with tolerant and sympathetic mindsets."

She greeted the countrymen and the Muslims in the world on the occasion and hoped that like every year, this Eid will bring happiness and joy to all irrespective of the rich and the poor.

Sheikh Hasina prayed to Allah for continued peace, progress and prosperity of the country and Muslim Ummah on the holy day.

Besides, she urged all to sacrifice their animals in designated places following health guidelines properly.