Over 6,00,000 Join 199th Eid Congregation at Sholakia

Continuing its nearly two-century-old tradition, the historic Sholakia Eidgah on Saturday hosted the country’s largest Eid-ul-Fitr congregation, drawing an estimated crowd of over six lakh (600,000) devotees. 

The 199th Jamaat was characterized by unprecedented discipline and a heightened security apparatus, ensuring a peaceful conclusion to the massive religious gathering.

The congregation commenced at 10 am, signaled by the traditional firing of blank shotgun rounds—a long-standing custom that alerts the vast sea of worshippers to the start of the prayer. 

The service was led by Mufti Abul Khair Mohammad Saifullah, the Khatib of Boro Bazar Jame Mosque. Following the prayers, a heartfelt Munajat was offered, seeking divine intervention for national peace, the welfare of the Muslim Ummah, and global harmony.

According to Mohammad Aslam Mollah, Deputy Commissioner and President of the Sholakia Eidgah Management Committee, the event was one of the most orderly in recent history. 

"Despite such a large gathering, it was possible to maintain order due to the collective efforts of everyone," he noted, praising the seamless coordination between administrators and the public.

Devotees from every corner of Bangladesh began arriving in Kishoreganj the day before Eid, with many spending the night under the open sky to secure a spot within the historic grounds. 

The entire perimeter was placed under a "foolproof" security blanket, with law enforcement agencies working around the clock to prevent any untoward incidents.

Among the high-profile participants were the State Minister for Jute and Textiles, Md. Shariful Alam, MP, along with numerous local dignitaries and civil society leaders. 

As the prayers concluded, the vast grounds transformed into a scene of communal joy, as hundreds of thousands of strangers exchanged Eid greetings, upholding Sholakia’s legacy as a symbol of national unity.