Defying torrential rainfall and adverse weather conditions, approximately one lakh (100,000) devotees gathered at the historic Sholakia Eidgah Maidan here on Thursday morning to perform the 199th Eid-ul-Azha congregation under tight, multi-layered security.

The sprawling Eid jamaat commenced precisely at 9 am, led by Mufti Abul Khair Mohammad Saifullah, the esteemed khatib of the Borobazar Mosque.

Adhering to Sholakia's centuries-old tradition, three blank gunshots were fired immediately before the prayers to signal the official countdown to the congregation.

From the early hours of dawn, streams of worshippers carrying prayer mats braved continuous downpours to reach the historic venue beside the Narsunda River, drawing in Muslims from various districts across Bangladesh as well as foreign nationals.

In light of the massive gathering, district authorities deployed extensive security measures. Law enforcement checked every devotee at the entry gates using a multi-tiered search system.

Large contingent deployments from the Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Ansar personnel secured the perimeter.

The surveillance web was further bolstered by plainclothes intelligence operatives, four watchtowers, a network of CCTV cameras covering all access points, and drone monitoring systems.

To ensure public comfort amid the heavy rain, authorities organized safe drinking water stations, alongside dedicated medical teams and volunteer squads to handle emergencies.

Furthermore, the railway authorities operated two special trains, dubbed the 'Sholakia Express', to facilitate the smooth commute of distant travelers.

Many attending worshippers noted that they traveled long distances explicitly out of a deep-rooted belief that prayers offered within this massive historic congregation carry immense spiritual significance.

Reflecting on the successful arrangement, local lawmaker (Kishoreganj-1) Mazharul Islam confirmed that nearly one lakh devotees participated in the prayers together.

He further disclosed that State Minister for Textiles and Jute, Md Shariful Alam, has initiated formal discussions with the relevant ministry regarding a major renovation and development project for the historic Eidgah ground.

He expressed optimism that these infrastructural improvements would be fully implemented before next year's Eid-ul-Fitr.

Kishoreganj Superintendent of Police Md Mizanur Rahman confirmed that the entire congregation concluded in a completely peaceful atmosphere, attributing the success to the highest tier of security protocols.

The grand congregation concluded with a special munajat, seeking divine blessings, peace, unity, and prosperity for the country, its citizens, and the global Muslim Ummah.

The Sholakia Eidgah holds a deep-seated place in national history. It was established in 1828 by Dewan Haybat Khan Bahadur—the sixth descendant of the historic ruler Masnad-e-Ala Isa Khan—following the establishment of the Kishoreganj zamindari.

Spread across nearly seven acres of land on the eastern edge of Kishoreganj town, the ground was originally named “Sowa Lakhhi Maidan” after an estimated 125,000 (Sowa Lakh) worshippers unexpectedly attended its very first congregation.

With Inputs from UNB