United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Friday urged people to stand by the helpless and underprivileged on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, sharing the festive happiness with all sections of society. In a message on the occasion of Eid, he greeted the people of the country and expressed hope that Eid-ul-Fitr will further strengthen national unity, mutual harmony and solidarity. “On this joyous day of Eid, let us stand by the helpless, the poor, and the underprivileged, and share the happiness of the festival with everyone. Let this be our commitment,” the Prime Minister said. He urged all to be inspired by the great ideals of Eid and work together to build a humane, developed, peaceful and prosperous Bangladesh. He prayed to Almighty Allah to shower the joy, mercy and blessings of Eid-ul-Fitr upon all. The Prime Minister also prayed that Allah will guide the country and the nation towards peace, progress and prosperity, and ensure the welfare of the entire Muslim Ummah. He said the true significance of Eid lies in reflecting the lessons of Ramadan in personal, family, social and state life. “Eid calls upon people to forget all divisions of rich and poor, young and old, and to be united in bonds of love and brotherhood.” Tarique said the holy month of Ramadan teaches restraint, sacrifice, service and self-purification.  He also said the month-long fasting helps people develop self-discipline and feel the suffering of others, creating a spirit of compassion and mutual cooperation in society. Noting that Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the two biggest religious festivals for Muslims, the Prime Minister said after a month of fasting and spiritual practice, Eid-ul-Fitr brings messages of joy, peace, harmony and brotherhood to people’s lives. “On the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr, I extend my heartfelt greetings and Eid Mubarak to the people of the country and all Muslims around the world,” he said.

Eid celebration turned into mourning and sorrow gripped a family at Harishena village in Gouranadi upazila of Barishal on Saturday as they lost their two children on the same day.   Milon Sardar, a resident of Dhaka and service holder, went to her village home 3 or four days ago along with his family to enjoy the Eid vacation.   But their happiness did not last long. Also read: Child drowns in pond   Afsana Akter, 14 and Jannat Akter, 8, daughters of Milon Sardar, drowned in a pond while bathing. Sushanta Kumar, sub-inspector of Gouranadi Police Station, said the victims went to their grandfather Idris Sardar’s house in Gouranadi. On Saturday, they went to their aunt’s house in the same village.   Afsana and Jannat went to the pond beside their aunt’s house in the afternoon for bathing and drowned. Finding no whereabouts of the two siblings, local people  started search and recovered the bodies of the two from the pond around 9 pm.