Thousands of people in Chandpur, Pirojpur, Madaripur, and Noakhali are celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr on Friday, one day ahead of the official date announced by the Bangladesh government in alignment with Saudi Arabia.
From Friday morning, Eid festivities began in around one hundred villages. After the Eid congregational prayers, residents visited each other’s homes to exchange greetings.
Chandpur
As in previous years, Eid is being celebrated early in more than 50 villages of Chandpur including Hajiganj’s Sadra Darbar Sharif, in alignment with Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations.
On Friday at 9am, the main Eid congregation will be held at Sadra Darbar Sharif grounds, led by Pirzada Allama Zakaria Chowdhury Al Madani. Another congregation was held earlier in the morning at the Sadra Hamidia Fazil (Degree) Madrasa grounds, led by Pirzada Arifullah Chowdhury of the Darbar Sharif.
Pirzada Arifullah Chowdhury explained that since 1928, they have observed Ramadan fasting and celebrated Eid and Eid-ul-Adha in line with the Muslim world, only a few hours apart.
Sadra Darbar Sharif devotee Yahya Chowdhury said, “After thorough verification, we found reports of moon sightings in Afghanistan and Mali to be highly questionable and unreliable, so we did not accept them. In such circumstances, one cannot break the fast and celebrate Eid based on doubt. Therefore, we are celebrating Eid on Friday, which is also Jummah.”
The villages include Sadra, Someshpur, Alipur, Balakhal, Monihar, Protappur, Basara in Hajiganj upazila; Lakshmipur, Kamta, Gallak, Bhulachho, Sonachho, Uvarampur, Uttoli, Munshirhat, Kaitara, Mulpara, Badarpur, Aitpara, Surangchail, Balithuba, Paikpara, Nurpur, Sachanmegh, Sholla, Hansa, Gobindapur in Faridganj upazila; Dashani, Mohanpur, Panchani in Matlab upazila; and parts of several villages in Kachua upazila.
Pirojpur
In 10 villages across three upazilas of the district, more than 800 families began Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations with morning prayers.
As in previous years, Eid prayers were held at Mollahbari Jame Mosque in Shialkathi, Kaukhali upazila; at Haji Wahed Ali Hawlader’s house in Kochubaria village, Mathbaria upazila; at Al-Ami Mosque in Raghunathpur village, Shekhmotiya union, Nazirpur upazila; and at Khondkar Bari in Bhaijoara village, Sapleja union, Mathbaria upazila.
Locals explained that followers of Hazrat Maulana Ahmed Ali Sureshwari Pir of Sureshwar village in Naria upazila, Shariatpur, have been observing fasting and both Eids in line with Saudi Arabia for about 150 years.
Noakhali
In five villages of Begumganj, Kabirhat, and Sadar upazilas, around 200 devout Muslims, followers of the Qaderia Sufi order, performed Eid prayers. Continuing a tradition of nearly a century, these villagers celebrated Eid one day earlier by offering prayers in the morning.
On Friday, Eid congregations were held in 10 mosques across the three upazilas. In Lakshminarayanpur and Harinarayanpur villages of Noakhali municipality, and Ramvallavpur village of Ghoshbag union, Kabirhat upazila, prayers were held at 10am. Earlier, congregations took place at 9:45am in Basantabagh and Fazilpur villages of Gopalpur union, Begumganj upazila.
Residents claim that the Qaderia order was established based on the teachings of Abdul Qadir Jilani (R), and its followers fast and celebrate Eid in line with Saudi Arabia every year.
Md Siraj Mia of Gopalpur union, Begumganj, said, “Following the path shown by our ancestors, we prayed in alignment with Saudi Arabia and sought blessings from Allah for one another.”
Noakhali Superintendent of Police TM Mosharraf Hossain said that law enforcement provided maximum support to ensure peaceful Eid celebrations in these villages.
Madaripur
In Madaripur, 30,000 people throughout 25 villages celebrated Eid. The main Eid congregation was held at 9:30am on the grounds of Char Kalikapur Government Primary School in Paikhola union of Sadar upazila.
The prayer was led by Maulana Siddiqur Rahman, Imam of Char Kalikapur Farazi Bari Jame Mosque. After prayers, residents embraced one another and shared joy.
Followers of Hazrat Jan Sharif Shah Sureshwari (R), founder of the Sureshwar Darbar Sharif, have been fasting and celebrating Eid in line with Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries for about 150 years.
Continuing this tradition, thousands of people in villages including Char Kalikapur, Mahisherchar, Purba Paikhola, Jajira, Baherchar, Char Gobindapur, Pokhira, Khoajpur, Daulatpur, Hosnabad, Raghurampur, Keranirbat, Ramzanpur, Koyaria, Ramarpul, Saheberampur, Underchar, and Khaserhat celebrated Eid according to the moon sighting in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.
