CHATTOGRAM, Mar 13, 2026 (BSS) – Eid home-goers have started leaving Chattogram city to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with their loved ones, as special Eid train services have commenced from the Chattogram Railway Station today. Return journey tickets after Eid are also now on sale. The station was bustling with a crowd on the first day of Eid travel, creating an atmosphere of excitement. Return tickets for March 23 are now available, and Bangladesh Railway is offering 100% online ticket sales for passenger convenience. To ensure a safe Eid journey, additional law enforcers have been deployed in the Chattogram Railway Station area. Passengers must go through a three-level ticket checking process before accessing the platform. The early Eid journey started at 4:20 am on Friday (March 13), attracting a significant number of passengers, including women, children, and students from various educational institutions at Chattogram Railway Station. Mohammad Akash, a university student, is traveling on the Bijoy Express train departing for Mymensingh at 9:15 am. He shared with BSS, "Exams are over, and classes will resume after Eid. I am going home a bit early and hope to return soon after Eid." Chattogram Railway Station Manager Abu Bakkar Siddique informed BSS that over 8,000 advance tickets for 16 trains in the eastern region are being sold daily to passengers traveling home for Eid this year. Advance ticket sales for trains began on March 3. The advance ticket sales for the Eid journey ended on March 9. Passengers who purchased advance tickets will depart on March 13. The first Eid journey is from Chattogram to Cox's Bazar, which commenced early in the morning with Parjatan Express departing at 4:20 am, followed by Saikat Express at 5:40 am. Chattala and Subarna Express left for Dhaka at 6:00 am and 7:00 am, respectively. Paharika Express departed for Sylhet at 7:40 am, while Bijoy Express left for Mymensingh at 9:15 am. Karnaphuli Express departed for Dhaka at 9:55 am, and the Tourist Express train left Dhaka for Cox's Bazar at 11:40 am. Bangladesh Railway initiated the sale of advance tickets for Eid pilgrims on March 3, with sales concluding on March 9. Passengers with advance tickets for the March 13 journey purchased them on March 3, and the last advance ticket for the March 19 Eid journey was sold on March 9.

RAJSHAHI, March 13, 2026 (BSS)- A human chain and protest rally were held in  Rajshahi demanding the liberation of the Holy Baitul Muqaddas and protesting  against what participants described as Israeli genocide and occupation in Palestine.  The programme took place at Saheb Bazar Zero Point in the city after Zummah  prayers on the occasion of Jumu'atul-Wida and International Quds Day.   The programme was organised by Imamia Public Welfare Foundation, Rajshahi,  under the banner of the general public. Immediately after the prayers, devout worshippers from different parts of the  city gathered at Zero Point carrying banners and festoons to take part in the  demonstration.   During the protest, the entire area echoed with slogans in support of the  independence of Palestine, including chants such as "Labbaik Ya Aqsa".  Along with ordinary citizens, a notable number of women also participated  enthusiastically in the rally.   Leaders of various organisations addressed the human chain.  The speakers said Jerusalem, the sacred land of Palestine, and Baitul  Muqaddas, commonly known as Masjid Al-Aqsa is recognized in Islamic tradition  as the first Qibla (direction of prayer) for Muslims, is currently under what  they described as illegal occupation by Jews. They emphasized that liberating this holy land is a matter of faith and  responsibility for Muslims around the world.   They further stated that the global Muslim community must unite to stand  beside the oppressed people of Palestine, and that the international  community should play a stronger and more effective role in addressing the issue.