Eid joy across Bangladesh, 6 lakh people offered prayers together at Sholakia

POBNEWS24, Dhaka Mar 31, 2025 : Eid joy across Bangladesh. 5 congregations were held at the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram in Dhaka. The largest Eid-ul-Fitr congregation in Bangladesh was held at the historic Sholakia Eidgah Maidan in Kishoreganj. The law enforcement agencies provided five-tier security for the participation of more than six lakh people in this 198th Eid congregation.
The congregation was led by Imam Mufti Abul Khair Muhammad Saifullah, who was removed 15 years ago. Eyewitnesses said that the number of worshippers this time has increased several times compared to other years.
Under tight security, the historic Sholakia ground turned into a crowd with the presence of more than six lakh worshippers. The queues inside the field overflowed and the congregation spread to the streets, alleys and houses outside. After the prayers, prayers were offered in the prayer for world peace and the prosperity of the country.
Before dawn on Monday, Sholakia and the surrounding areas were covered with security blankets. Muslims had to cross a five-tier security cordon to enter the Eidgah grounds. Muslims were a little late in entering the grounds. Even then, Sholakia turned into a sea of ​​people before 9 am. However, for security reasons, the police had banned people from entering the grounds with umbrellas, sticks, matches or lighters. As a result, Muslims had to leave these things and enter the Eidgah.
Muslims started pouring into this Eidgah ground on the banks of the Narsunda River in the eastern part of the district town since early morning. Law enforcement forces closed all roads leading to the Eidgah for a few hours to allow Muslims to move. The seven-acre Sholakia ground was filled to the brim an hour before the congregation began. Many Muslims, unable to find a place in the field, were seen climbing up the side streets, empty spaces on three sides, on the banks of the river and on the roofs of nearby houses to join the congregation. More than six lakh worshippers participated in the congregation.
Before the prayers began, the Eidgah committee members welcomed the Muslims and gave a speech. Police members were deployed to ensure the security of the historic Sholakia Eidgah Maidan. In addition, a tight security cordon consisting of BGB, RAB members, Armed Police Battalion and Ansar members, as well as members of various intelligence agencies in plain clothes, kept watch on the field. There were four drone cameras and six video cameras including binoculars on the field. A bomb disposal team came from Dhaka. The field and the city, including the entrances, were monitored around the clock with CCTV cameras. RAB and police members performed security duties with binoculars from six watch towers set up in the field. The police’s quick response team worked around the clock.
Security posts were set up in all the alleys of the city, including the Sholakia field. Several medical teams and firefighting teams were also deployed in the Eidgah area. A large number of scout members were in charge of the volunteers. Each worshipper was searched with a metal detector and then allowed into the field. Due to the fame of the field and various rumors, a few days before Eid, worshippers from remote areas of Kishoreganj and various districts across the country gathered in Sholakia. Many of them stayed in hotels, some in the homes of relatives and on the Sholakia Eidgah pulpit. Two special trains run to facilitate the transportation of worshippers participating in the Eid congregation in Sholakia. One train leaves from Bhairab at 6 am and reaches Kishoreganj at 8 am. The other leaves from Mymensingh at 5:45 am and reaches Kishoreganj at 8:30 am. After the prayers, the two trains returned to their destinations with the passengers who had come to the congregation. The country’s largest Eid congregation was centered around the field and surrounding areas, where handicrafts, crafts and various arts fairs were one of the main attractions for the Muslims.
Meanwhile, a huge Eid joy procession was held in the capital Dhaka to celebrate Eid. Cultural programs were held at the end of the procession. Sweets and semai were served at this event organized by the Dhaka North City Corporation.
On Monday morning, Dhaka’s largest Eid congregation was held at the old trade fair grounds in Sher-e-Banglanagar. After the congregation, the Eid joy procession was taken out from the grounds. A large number of people participated in the procession in a joyful atmosphere, dancing, singing and making noise to the tune of the band. People carrying various placards with Eid greetings and awareness messages shouted ‘Eid Mubarak, Eid Mubarak’. At the forefront of the procession were eight well-dressed horses in two rows. There were also 15 horse-drawn carriages, 10 puppet shows featuring the history of the Mughal and Sultanate periods. The joyous procession conveyed the message of building a just Dhaka city. The procession passed through Khamarbari intersection and ended in front of the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Manik Mia Avenue. On the other hand, in Natore’s Lalpur upazila, one person was shot dead in a clash between Awami League and BNP over ‘Joy Bangla’ slogans after Eid prayers. The incident took place in Ramkrishnapur village of the upazila around 9 am on Sunday. Police have arrested five people for their involvement in the incident. According to eyewitnesses and local sources, after Eid prayers, Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League workers started shouting ‘Joy Bangla’ slogans at the Ramkrishnapur Eidgah. At that time, there was a chase and clash between them and the BNP and local people. In this, a BNP worker named Sabbir (24) was injured. He was taken to the Upazila Health Complex for primary treatment. Shortly after, Awami League workers opened fire on BNP workers. A BNP worker named Sujat was shot and injured. He was sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.