Eid-ul-Azha
Capital chokes as public transport services resume
Public transport services resumed in Bangladesh on Thursday, with the government easing the lockdown curbs for a week ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Azha.
A reality check by UNB in Dhaka revealed that several buses left their depots in the morning and were plying on several busy stretches of the national capital -- Mirpur Road, Uttara, Banani, New Market and Mohakhali areas to name a few.
Buses -- both intra-city and inter-district -- were, however, seen carrying passengers with 50 percent of their seating capacity. But such was the morning rush that several areas of the city witnessed traffic snarls, giving commuters a harrowing time on the roads.
Read:Public transports go off streets, malls shut as ’ strict lockdown’ begins in Bangladesh
Abu Raihan Mohammad Saleh, joint commissioner (traffic north) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said, “Due to the strict lockdown, many people couldn't step out of their houses. As soon as the lockdown restrictions were eased, people took full advantage of the same."
"However, police and other law enforcement agencies are keeping a strict vigil on the roads to ensure strict adherence to all Covid-safety protocols," he added.
A number of inter-district buses entering and exiting the city also contributed to the traffic jams.
Traffic Inspector Akter Hossain said, “A huge pressure of vehicles has been seen since morning as all vehicles have started plying on the roads.”
Besides, train and launch services also resumed operations across the country, keeping 50 percent of the seats empty, apparently to facilitate the movement of people ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
On July 12, Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujon said that the train tickets will be available online only to avoid any rush at the counters.
On June 22, authorities suspended the movement of all passenger vessels in Narayanganj, Gazipur, Munshiganj, Manikganj, Madaripur, Rajbari and Gopalganj to curb the spread of Covid in these districts.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) announced its decision to suspend the movement of launches, speed boats and trawlers on June 21, following the Cabinet Division’s circular on the imposition of lockdown in these seven districts.
However, the restrictions won't apply on the movement of cargo vessels and emergency services. And legal action will be taken against violators, according to the BIWTA notification.
Read: Bangladesh eases lockdown restrictions ahead of Eid
On July 13, the Bangladesh government decided to ease all lockdown restrictions in the country for eight days ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
In a notification on Tuesday morning, the Cabinet Division said that the lockdown restrictions would be lifted from July 14 midnight to the morning of July 23.
However, strict restrictions will resume from July 23 and will continue till August 5, as per the order.
Launch services resume in Keraniganj
Launch services resumed here on Thursday morning, with the government easing the lockdown curbs for a week ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
On Wednesday, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury visited Sadarghat Launch Terminal and asked the authorities to ensure that all passengers comply with Covid-safety protocols.
Read:Now mad rush to return to Dhaka; river terminals overcrowded again
“Everyone should follow health safety guidelines and those found without a mask will be fined,” he had said.
Khalid had also urged the launch owners and officials of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) to remain alert in view of the worsening Covid situation in the country.
On July 13, the Bangladesh government decided to ease all lockdown restrictions in the country for eight days ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
In a notification on Tuesday morning, the cabinet division said that the lockdown restrictions would be lifted from July 14 midnight to the morning of July 23.
Read: 5 die in stampede, heatstroke at Banglabazar ferry terminal
However, strict restrictions will resume from July 23 and will continue till August 5, as per the order.
A record rise in the number of Covid cases and fatalities in recent days prompted the government to enforce a nationwide stringent lockdown.
All modes of public transport, including the road, river, rail and air, remained suspended during the lockdown.
On June 22, the authorities suspended the movement of all passenger vessels in Narayanganj, Gazipur, Munshiganj, Manikganj, Madaripur, Rajbari and Gopalganj to curb the spread of Covid in these districts.
Read: Homebound people flock at launch and bus terminals dreading ‘lockdown’
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) announced its decision to suspend the movement of launches, speed boats and trawlers on June 21, following the Cabinet Division’s circular on the imposition of lockdown in these seven districts.
However, the restrictions won't apply on the movement of cargo vessels and emergency services. And legal action will be taken against violators, according to the BIWTA notification.
No trade activities at Panchagarh border from July 12-30
Trade activities between India and Bangladesh through Banglabandha land port in Panchagarh district will remain suspended for 12 days due to Eid-ul-Azha.
The suspension will remain in force from July 19 to July 30, said Abdul Latif Tarin, president of the Banglabandha Land Port Export Association.
Read:Passengers’ movement through land ports with India to remain shut until July 14
The decision to suspend the trade activities through the land port was taken after a meeting with the associations of exporters, clearing agents, traders and workers on both sides of the border, he said.
Trade activities will resume on July 31.
Cattle markets open in Dhaka amid low arrival, high prices
Amid the Covid-induced lockdown, traders from across the country have started arriving in the capital’s limited cattle markets bringing with them the sacrificial animals they hope to sell ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha festival.
During visits to several markets in the city, the UNB correspondent found the number of cattle still low with traders asking high prices.
Read:10 cattle markets to be set up maintaining health rules: DNCC Mayor
Haat lease-holders, however, hoped the arrival of cattle will gain momentum within the next few days as the Eid festival is still more than a week away.
Shah Alam, leaseholder of Shanir Akhra and Dania College field cattle market, said they have completed preparations so that everyone follows health guidelines to prevent coronavirus infections.
Daraz launches online 'Qurbanir Haat' ahead of Eid
Online marketplace Daraz has started "Qurbanir Haat" ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
Qurbanir Haat will allow customers to buy sacrificial animals through the Daraz app by looking at photos, videos, and details, including the weight, age, breed, and colour.
Read Digital Haat and more Qurbani Cow online shops targeting Eid-ul-Azha in Bangladesh
Daraz's online Qurbanir Haat comprises 1,000 animals – 700 cows and 300 goats – ranging from Tk55,000 to Tk8,00,000.
The haat will continue till July 16. It is offering up to Tk6,500 discount on the sale of cows and Tk2,500 on goats accompanied by free shipping services and no hasil (tax on the sale of sacrificial animals).
Read Digital Haat 2021 launched with target to sell 1 lakh cattle before Eid
Also, there will be additional benefits for the buyers, such as prepayment options.
10 cattle markets to be set up maintaining health rules: DNCC Mayor
Dhaka North City Corporation will set up 10 cattle markets in its area ahead of Eid-ul-Azha maintaining Covid health rules and government restrictions, Mayor Atiqul Islam said Sunday.
The mayor said this while attending a meeting with the sacrificial animal haat monitoring committee and lease holders of the haats.
Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, one permanent and nine makeshift haats will be set up in the DNCC area, he said.
Also read: Authorities disperse an illegal cattle market in Panchagarh
To monitor the 10 haats, a 14-member committee has already been formed including 12 councillors, 2 veterinary officers, where ward-19 councillor Md Mofizur Rahman was made the convener, he added.
Atiqul Islam said, in every haat, 100 volunteers will be appointed from the Shakti Foundation with enough surgical masks while leaseholders will ensure hand sanitizers and necessary hygiene materials in every haat.
Enough number of body temperature measuring machines will be made available at the haats, he said.
Also read: Authorities permit 3 makeshift cattle markets in Chattagram, set 17 conditions
Traders and buyers all will have to maintain social distance and health rules in the haat as the area will be under surveillance by CCTV cameras, said the mayor.
The DNCC mayor said, sacrificial animals brought in the haats will also be available online for customers to see.
Raushan Ershad greets PM ahead of Eid-ul-Azha
Opposition leader Raushan Ershad on Sunday greeted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha that is set to be celebrated on July 21.
Prime minister's protocol officer-2 M Abu Jafar Raju received the greetings card on her behalf from Raushan's private secretary AKM Abdur Rahim Bhuiyan.
Also read: Zilhajj moon sighted; Eid-ul-Azha on July 21
On July 6, Sheikh Hasina sent Eid greetings cards to the opposition leader in the parliament Raushan Ershad and Jatiya Party Chairman and deputy opposition leader GM Quader.
The Zilhajj moon was sighted in Bangladesh today and the month of Zilhajj will begin from July 12.
Zilhajj moon sighted; Eid-ul-Azha on July 21
The Zilhajj moon has been sighted in Bangladesh and Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated on July 21, the national moon sighting committee announced on Sunday.
It said the month of Zilhajj will begin from July 12, Monday.
The committee made the announcement at a meeting that reviewed information about the sighting of the Zilhajj moon received from across the country.
Also read: Eid-ul-Azha: Moon Sighting Committee to meet Sunday
State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan chaired the meeting at the Islamic Foundation's office at Baitul Mukarram.
Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of the Muslims, is celebrated on the 10th day of the holy month of Zilhajj.
Saudi Arabia will celebrate Eid-ul-Azha on July 20 this year as the Zilhajj moon was not sighted in the country Friday.
People wow at two giant bulls at a cattle farm in B’baria
Manik and Babu, two giant bulls, are drawing hundreds of curious people to the modest cattle farm of Oli Mia at Maslandapur in Nasirnagar upazila of Bramanbaria district ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, the Islamic festival of sacrifice.
With less than two weeks before the second biggest religious festival of Muslims, many cattle farms in the country are brimming with the sacrificial animals.
Read:Authorities disperse an illegal cattle market in Panchagarh
Many people like Oli, reared cattle to sell before the Eid.
He has been in the business of rearing cattle for the last four years.
Manik and Babu are his two prized possessions at the farm.
Oli is asking a price of Tk 22 lakh for the bulls, each containing approximately 25 maunds of meat, as demand for sacrificial animals has increased ahead Eid-ul-Azha.
Eid-ul-Azha: Moon Sighting Committee to meet Sunday
A meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee will be held on Sunday to fix the date of Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of Muslims.
The meeting will be held in the office of the Islamic Foundation at Baitul Mukarram at 7:15pm with State Minister for Religious Affairs Mohammad Faridul Haque Khan in the chair, said an Islamic Foundation media release on Saturday.
The committee will announce the date of Eid-ul-Azha after reviewing information about the sighting of Zilhaj moon.
Also read: National Moon Sighting Committee to meet Wednesday evening
People have been requested to inform the committee over the following phone and fax numbers if they see the Zilhaj moon anywhere in Bangladesh sky.
Also read: National Moon sighting committee to sit Tuesday
The telephone numbers are: 9559493, 9555947, 9556407 and 9558337, while the fax numbers are 9563397 and 9555951.
Also read: National Moon Sighting Committee to sit Tuesday