Eid-ul-Azha celebrated

-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of the Muslims, was celebrated across the country on Tuesday.

After offering prayers at Eid congregations, well-off Muslims sacrificed animals commemorating Hazrat Ibrahim's devotion to Allah as illustrated by his readiness to give up his beloved son Hazrat Ismail.

They (Muslims) shared the sacrificial meat with their relatives and neighbours and distributed meat among the poor.

The main Eid congregation was held at National Eidgah Maidan at 8:00am. Acting Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Mufti Nuruddin conducted the prayers.

Islamic Foundation also arranged five Eid congregations at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 7:00am, 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:00am and 11:00am. Eid congregations were also held at different mosques in the capital as elsewhere across the country.

President Iajuddin Ahmed, Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, advisers to the caretaker government, Speaker Jamiruddin Sircar, Chief Justice MM Ruhul Amin and other dignitaries, offered Eid prayers at National Eidgah.

A special munajat (prayer) seeking divine blessings for peace and prosperity of the country as well as welfare of the people and greater unity of the Muslim Ummah was offered at the main congregation.

Government and political leaders hosted reception for dignitaries, elite and cross-section of people on the occasion.

President Iajuddin Ahmed and his wife hosted reception for diplomats and elite of the city at Bangabhaban. The president and the chief adviser exchanged greetings and pleasantries on the occasion at Bangabhaban.

On the Eid Day, Awami League president and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina urged people to vote judiciously in the December 29 parliament elections and allow her to serve them once more with a selfless devotion to public cause.

“I can make any amount of sacrifice for the cause of the people because my politics is for the people,” she told reporters at her Dhanmondi office on the sidelines of exchanging Eid greetings with diplomats and cross-section of people.

She also called for sacrifice following the teachings of holy Eid-ul-Azha for peace and happiness of all as Muslims celebrated this great festival reflecting this spirit.

Her political archrival, former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, said she would announce her party's election manifesto on December 13, a day after formal launch of her poll campaign.

Khaleda told reporters that the manifesto would contain her policies and programmes to be implemented on economic, social and political fronts if the BNP-led four-party alliance is again elected to power.

The former prime minister received foreign diplomats at Eskaton Ladies' Club and exchanged Eid greetings with the dignitaries. She also exchanged Eid greetings with cross-section of people, including party leaders and workers.

On the occasion, Khaleda visited the grave of president Ziaur Rahman and offered special prayer.

Strong contingents of 4,608 police personnel were on duty as part of security measures during the Eid-ul-Azha vacation in the capital, according to the DMP commissioner.

Dhaka City Corporation took steps to clear garbage and animal wastes from the streets immediately after sacrifice of animals by city-dwellers.

State-run Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private TV channels aired special programmes on the occasion.

Improved diets were served at hospitals, jails, government-run children's homes and vagrant and destitute welfare centres across the country.