Eid-ul-Azha being celebrated in parts of Bangladesh in line with Saudi Arabia

Muslims in parts of Bangladesh's Chandpur, Shariatpur and Patuakhali districts are celebrating Eid-ul-Azha on Wednesday in line with Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries,ahead of the national observation.

In Satkhira, people in at least 25 villages of Satkhira offered Eid prayers and sacrificed animals, reports UNB.

An Eid congregation was held at around 7:30am at a mosque in Bhadra Baukola village under Sadar upazila, organised by a section of Ahle Hadith followers.

Maulana Mahbubur Rahman led the prayers.

At the same time, devotees from nearly 25 villages, including Islamkati in Tala upazila and Goaalchattar, Bhadra, Ghona and Mirgidanga in Satkhira Sadar, joined Eid congregations.

Women also participated in the Eid prayers alongside men.

Devotees said they have been observing Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha in line with Saudi Arabia for the last 12 years.

After the prayers, devotees exchanged greetings and became busy with animal sacrifices as part of the religious observance.

In Shariatpur, around 20,000 Muslim devotees from at least 30 villages took part in the Eid celebrations.

The main Eid congregation was held at the Sureshwar Darbar Sharif in Naria upazila at 10:30am on Wednesday. Another congregation was also held simultaneously at a separate ground.

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

After the prayers, special munajat was offered seeking peace, prosperity and welfare for the country, the nation and the Muslim Ummah.

Sources at the Darbar Sharif said they have been observing fasting and celebrating the two Eids in line with Saudi Arabia for nearly 150 years. Continuing that tradition, Eid-ul-Azha was celebrated a day earlier this year as well.

In Patuakhali, around 2,000 people from Badrpur village in sadar upazila offered Eid prayers on the day.

The main Eid congregation was held at Badrpur Darbar Sharif at 8:00am.

Khadem of the Darbar Sharif, Md Nazmul Hossain, said people in the area have been starting Ramadan fasting a day earlier in line with Saudi Arabia since 1928. Following the tradition, they also celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha a day ahead of Bangladesh.

Other villages in the district where Eid was celebrated 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; Nishanbaria and Itbaria in Kalapara; and Naiyapatti, Tiakhali, Tegachia and South Debpur in the district town.

The Eid congregation at Badrpur Darbar Sharif was led by its Imam and Khatib, Maulana Shafiqul Islam Gani.