Several districts celebrate Eid-ul-Azha in alignment with Saudi Arabia

Following a long-standing tradition, tens of thousands of Muslims across several districts in Bangladesh, including Chandpur, Shariatpur, Patuakhali, and Satkhira, are celebrating holy Eid-ul-Azha on Wednesday. 

The early celebrations are being held in alignment with the moon sighting in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries, one day ahead of the official nationwide observation.

In Satkhira, residents from at least 25 villages participated in Eid prayers and performed ritual animal sacrifices on Wednesday morning. 

Organised by a section of the Ahle Hadith followers, an early Eid congregation was held at approximately 7:30 am at a local mosque in Bhadra Baukola village under Sadar upazila, led by Maulana Mahbubur Rahman.

Simultaneously, devotees from nearly 25 villages—including Islamkati in Tala upazila, alongside Goaalchattar, Bhadra, Ghona, and Mirgidanga in Satkhira Sadar—joined separate congregations where women participated in the Eid prayers alongside men. 

Devotees noted that they have been observing Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha in accordance with Saudi Arabia for the last 12 years. Following the prayers, worshippers exchanged greetings and immediately began animal sacrifices as part of the religious observance.

In Shariatpur, around 20,000 Muslim devotees spanning at least 30 villages joined the early Eid celebrations. 

The main Eid congregation was held at the historical Sureshwar Darbar Sharif in Naria upazila at 10:30 am on Wednesday, while another congregation took place simultaneously at a separate ground nearby.

The prayers were led by Shah Sufi Syed Belal Noori Al Sureshwari and Maulana Md Julhas Uddin. 

Following the prayers, a special munajat (supplication) was offered seeking global peace, prosperity, and welfare for the country, the nation, and the broader Muslim Ummah. Sources at the Darbar Sharif stated that they have been observing Ramadan fasting and celebrating the two major Eids in line with Saudi Arabia for nearly 150 years.

In Patuakhali, around 2,000 people from Badrpur village in Sadar upazila offered their Eid prayers today. The principal congregation was held at the Badrpur Darbar Sharif at 8 am, led by Imam and Khatib Maulana Shafiqul Islam Gani.

Md Nazmul Hossain, the Khadem of Badrpur Darbar Sharif, stated that the people of this area have consistently started their Ramadan fasting a day earlier in alignment with Saudi Arabia since 1928. 

Following this established tradition, they routinely celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha a day ahead of the rest of Bangladesh.

Other villages across Patuakhali district celebrating Eid on Wednesday include Sener Hawla, Pashuribunia, Nijhawla, Kankunipara and Maudubi in Galachipa and Rangabali upazilas; Madanpura, Rajnagar, Boga, Dhaurabhanga, Surdi, Chandrapara, Dwipasha, Shaplakhaly, Konokdia, and Amirabad in Bauphal upazila; Nishanbaria and Itbaria in Kalapara upazila; alongside Naiyapatti, Tiakhali, Tegachia, and South Debpur in the main district town.

With Inputs from UNB