Eid being celebrated with sacrifice, festivities

Eid-ul-Azha, the 2nd most important festival in the Islamic calendar, is being celebrated in Bangladesh by offering prayers and sacrificing animals. Muslims slaughter sacrificial animals to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim (SA)’s willingness to sacrifice his son at Almighty Allah’s command. In Dhaka, the main Eid Jamaat (congregation) was held at National Eidgah in the High Compound. The Jamaat began around 8am, which brought together people from all walks of life. National mosque Baitul Mukarram hosted five consecutive Eid congregations every hour starting 7am. Eid prayers were followed by sacrificing animals. The animal is cut into three pieces, with one portion eaten in a celebratory dinner by family, another portion offered to friends, and the remaining portion donated to those less fortunate and unable to afford a cattle. Dressed in their best clothes, young people and children started the day early thronging to mosques and offering Eid prayers. They will visit the residences of their relatives and friends and exchange Eid greetings and pleasantries with them. Besides, children will also visit parks and places of amusement to enjoy the Eid. President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have greeted the people with separate messages on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha, according to a news agency.