Defying heavy rain and gloomy weather, nearly one lakh devotees joined the 199th Eid-ul-Adha congregation at the historic Sholakia Eidgah Maidan in Kishoreganj on Thursday under tight security arrangements.
The Eid jamaat began at 9am, led by Mufti Abul Khair Mohammad Saifullah, khatib of Borobazar Mosque.
Devotees from different districts of the country, along with Muslims from abroad, took part in the congregation at the historic Eidgah ground.
From early morning, streams of worshippers carrying prayer mats gathered at the venue despite continuous rainfall, creating an atmosphere of devotion and tradition.
In keeping with the long-standing custom of Sholakia Eidgah, authorities fired three blank shots before the prayers to signal preparations for the congregation.
Law enforcement agencies enforced extensive security measures around the Eidgah. Police searched every worshipper before entry, while members of Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Ansar remained deployed across the area.
Authorities also strengthened security through plainclothes intelligence surveillance, CCTV monitoring, watch towers and drone cameras.
Volunteers and medical teams stayed on duty to assist worshippers, while organisers arranged safe drinking water at the venue.
To facilitate travel for devotees arriving from distant districts, authorities operated two special trains named “Sholakia Express”.
Many worshippers said they travelled from different parts of the country believing that prayers at the country’s largest Eid congregation hold special spiritual significance.
Kishoreganj-1 MP Mazharul Islam said nearly one lakh devotees offered Eid prayers together at this year’s congregation.
He also said State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam had already discussed renovation and development of the historic Eidgah ground with the relevant ministry. He expressed hope that improvement works would be completed before Eid-ul-Fitr next year.
Kishoreganj Superintendent of Police Md Mizanur Rahman said the Eid congregation concluded peacefully under the highest level of security.
After the prayers, a special munajat was offered seeking peace, prosperity and wellbeing for the country, its people and the Muslim Ummah across the world.
The historic Eidgah was established in 1828 by Dewan Haybat Khan Bahadur, the sixth descendant of Masnad-e-Ala Isa Khan, following the establishment of the Kishoreganj zamindari.
Built on nearly seven acres of land beside the Narsunda River on the eastern edge of Kishoreganj town, the ground was initially named “Sowa Lakhhi Maidan” after around 125,000 worshippers attended the first congregation there. Over time, the name evolved into Sholakia Maidan.
