Defying heavy rain and gloomy weather, nearly one lakh devotees joined the 199th Eid-ul-Azha congregation at the historic Sholakia Eidgah Maidan in Kishoreganj on Thursday under a high security arrangement.
The Eid jamaat began at 9:00am with Mufti Abul Khair Mohammad Saifullah, khatib of the Borobazar Mosque, leading the prayers.
Devotees from different districts of the country as well as Muslims from other countries took part in the congregation at the historic Eidgah.
Since early morning, streams of worshippers carrying prayer mats gathered at the Eidgah despite continuous rainfall, turning the venue into a blend of religious devotion and long-standing tradition.
Following the tradition of Sholakia Eidgah, three blank shots were fired before the prayers to signal preparation for the congregation.
Authorities took extensive security measures centring the Eid jamaat. Every devotee was searched before entering the ground, while large numbers of Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Ansar personnel were deployed.
Security was further strengthened with plainclothes intelligence surveillance, CCTV cameras across the ground and entry points, four watch towers and drone monitoring systems.
Volunteers and medical teams remained on duty to assist worshippers, while arrangements for safe drinking water were also made.
To ease transportation for devotees travelling from distant areas, two special trains named ‘Sholakia Express’ operated on the occasion.
Many worshippers said they travelled from different parts of the country believing that prayers offered at the massive Sholakia congregation carry special spiritual significance.
Kishoreganj-1 MP Mazharul Islam said nearly one lakh devotees offered Eid prayers together at the congregation this year.
He also said State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam has already discussed renovation and development of the historic Eidgah ground with the relevant ministry, expressing hope that improvement works would be completed before Eid-ul-Fitr next year.
Kishoreganj Superintendent of Police Md Mizanur Rahman said the Eid congregation was held in a peaceful atmosphere with the highest level of security arrangements.
Special munajat was offered after the prayers seeking peace, prosperity and wellbeing for the country, the nation and the Muslim Ummah across the world.
The Eidgah was established in 1828 by Dewan Haybat Khan Bahadur, the sixth descendant of Masnad-e-Ala Isa Khan, after the establishment of the Kishoreganj zamindari.
Built on nearly seven acres of land beside the Narsunda River at the eastern edge of Kishoreganj town, the field was initially named “Sowa Lakhhi Maidan” after around 125,000 worshippers attended the first congregation there.
Over time, the name evolved into Sholakia Maidan.