Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of Muslims, was celebrated on Wednesday in different cities and towns with due fervour, joy, enthusiasm, and gaiety. Streams of people braved the heavy downpour on Eid morning to rush towards the nearest eidgahas and mosques to offer prayers.

However, confusion was created the day before Eid centring the sighting of the moon. Around 8:30 pm on Tuesday, the National Moon Sighting Committee declared that Eid would be held on Thursday. Two-and-a-half hours later, the committee backtracked from its earlier announcement and declared that Eid would be held on Wednesday.

The decision was taken at the second meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee after reassessing the information about the Shawwal moon sighting.

State minister for religious affairs, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, came up with the official announcement around 11 pm. He said they had revised the decision as they later got information about the moon sighting in the country.

During munajats after Eid congregations (jamaats), Muslims also prayed for divine blessings to help strengthen national unity against all odds and destructive activities, including terrorism and militancy.

The authorities had taken adequate security measures by deploying RAB, police and Ansars at various strategic points in Dhaka to maintain law and order before, during and after Eid. The main congregation in the city was held at the National Eidgah on the High Court premises at 8:30 am. President Abdul Hamid joined the Eid jamaat. Five more congregations were held at the National Mosque.

There were arrangements at both places for women to offer Eid prayers alongside men.

Following the prayers, people visited the homes of their relatives and friends and also roamed around the city with their families. Thousands of people also flocked to various entertainment centres including Mirpur National Zoo, Children’s Museum, Fantasy Kingdom, Balda Garden, Ahsan Manzil, Lalbagh Fort, Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban Chattar, National Monument, Jamuna Future Park and Nandan Park in the afternoon.

The city corporations kept the children parks open, allowing free entry for all visitors on the occasion of Eid. Law enforcers took adequate security measures to ensure that celebrations were held in a peaceful manner.

A total of 15 monitoring sub-committees were formed and 14 temporary ticket counters were opened for the benefit of visitors at Mirpur National Zoo.

Hatirjheel cyclical along with water buses were arranged as many people also visited the area.