DHAKA, April 22, 2023 (BSS) - The Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the greatest religious festivals of the Muslims, was celebrated across the country today amid due solemnity, fervour and gaiety.

The very auspicious occasion began with the sighting of the Shawwal moon last evening and reached the climax this morning amid offering the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers by millions from all strata of life at mosques, Eidgahs and makeshift prayer venues in the capital and elsewhere across the country.

During munajats after Eid congregations (jamaats), the Muslims also prayed for divine blessings to help strengthen national unity against all odds and destructive activities.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted the countrymen as well as the Muslims across the world on occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr.

The country's main Eid jamaat (congregation) was held at the National Eidgah on Bangladesh Supreme Court premises in the capital at 8.30 in the morning.

President M Abdul Hamid offered Eid-ul-Fitr prayers along with hundreds of people from all walks of life at the National Eidgah.

After the prayers, President Hamid exchanged Eid greetings with the Musullies (devotees) at the Eidgah.

Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique, Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, DSCC Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan, lawmakers, judges of the Supreme Court, members of parliament, senior political leaders, diplomats and high civil and military officials also offered prayers at the main Eid congregation.

Khatib of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Mufti Ruhul Amin Faridpuri conducted the Eid prayers.

A special munajat was offered seeking divine blessings for peace and progress of Bangladesh and welfare of the people as well as the Muslim Ummah.

The Eid jamaat was held under the auspices of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). Special arrangement has been made for women to offer Eid prayers at the national Eidgah.

An intensified security measures were taken in and around the prayers ground.

Five Eid congregations were held at the Baitul Muqarram National Mosque at 7:00am, 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:00am and 10:45am.

Devotees from different parts of the capital took part in the Eid congregations at the National Mosque.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina exchanged greetings with a cross section of people on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr at her official Ganabhaban residence here this morning.

The Prime Minister first exchanged  Eid greetings with the people of all strata of life that include her party leaders and workers and people of all classes and professions that include poets, litterateurs, writers, journalists, teachers and intellectuals.

Later, she exchanged Eid greetings with cabinet colleagues, judges, cabinet secretary, chiefs of the three services, foreign diplomats, senior secretaries, secretaries and other civil and military officials with rank equivalent to secretaries.

The programme could not be held in 2020, 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the capital, Eid jamaat (congregation) was also held at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad (JS) at 8.30am.

JS Chief Whip Noor-e-Alam Chowdhury, Science and Technology Minister Architect Yeafesh Osman, former Chief Whip ASM Firoz, Chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on Disaster Management and Relief Captain (retd) AB Tajul Islam and other lawmakers offered Eid prayers on the occasion.

A special prayer was offered seeking peace, welfare and prosperity of the mankind and the nation.

Later, JS Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury exchanged Eid greetings with lawmakers and common people at her residence.

Two Eid congregations were held at Dhaka University central mosque while two separate Eid jamaats were held at Salimullah Muslim Hall ground at 8.30am and Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah Hall’s lawn at 8am.

Besides, Eid congregations were held at Mirbagh Jame Mosque at 8am, Baitul Aman Jame Mosque at Pallabi and Harun Mollah Eidgah ground at Mirpur-12 in the capital.

The country's biggest Eid congregations were held at Gor-e-Shaheed Baro Maidan in Dinajpur and Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj at 9.00am and at 10am respectively.

Bangladesh Railway operated Solakia special trains on Bhoirab- Kishoreganj-Bhoirab and Mymensingh-Kishoreganj-Mymensingh routes on the day for carrying passengers to and from the Sholakia Eidgah Maidan.

City corporations kept open the children parks, allowing free entry of all visitors on the occasion of Eid.

Eid-ul-Fitr was also celebrated in Bangladesh missions abroad too in a befitting manner.

Marking the festival, important traffic islands and city points in Dhaka city were also decorated with miniature national flags and flags inscribed with "Eid
Mubarak".

Besides, designated government offices and other establishments were illuminated.

Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private television channels aired special programmes while newspapers already published supplements on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Improved diets are being served to hospitals, jails and orphanages.

The government already declared a four-day public holiday that began on Thursday.