President Md. Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will offer the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers in the main ‘Jamaat’ (congregation) at the National Eidgah in the city.

The main Eid Jamaat will be held at 8:30 am, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam told reporters after visiting the National Eidgah here on Thursday morning.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Abdus Salam and senior officials concerned accompanied the state minister during the visit.

“This time, the Eid Jamaat at the National Eidgah will be a historic one for some reasons.The President will offer Eid prayers here. This is for the first time Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated after the formation of the BNP government with a huge majority through a free, fair and impartial election in Bangladesh,” he said.

The state minister however, said that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has given his consent to offer Eid prayers at the National Eidgah. So, after a long time, the nation will see two VVIPs to offer prayers in the National Eidgah together.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) in collaboration with others law, enforcement agencies have taken necessary preparation to hold the Eid Jamaat in a peaceful manner.

Home Ministry Affairs Secretary Manjur Morshed Chowdhury, Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman, Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury and Acting Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Md. Sarwar were present during the visit.

Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam said, “The main congregation will be held at the National Eidgah at 8:30 am. This time, our Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will offer prayers together with us. We hope that our cabinet members and other high-ranking officials who are present will also offer prayers here.”

He said there are arrangements for about 35,000 people to offer prayers at the National Eidgah. There are also arrangements for women to offer Eid-ul-Fitr prayers. He urged the city dwellers to join the main congregation at the National Eidgah.

In response to a query, Mir Shahe Alam said that about 40,000 men and women together will be able to offer Eid prayers here. Separate arrangements have also been made for women.

The city administrator said that police, RAB and other law enforcement agencies will be deployed to ensure overall security at the Eidgah. Besides, "Special Security Force (SSF) members are working for the security of VVIPs.

Meanwhile, the perimeter of the National Eidgah has been cordoned off. Rows of water taps have been newly installed for ablution.

There are two entrances to the National Eidgah. A separate gate has been made through the Supreme Court premises for the entry of VVIPs. The entrance for women has also been separated.