Eid congregation at historic Sholakia Eidgah at 10am

The historic Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj, one of the country's main maidan, is fully prepared for the Eid-ul-Fitr congregation. Law enforcement agencies have set up a four-tier security perimeter for the safety of worshippers. Five BGB platoons will be deployed.

This time, the Eid congregation will be held at 10am. Mufti Abul Khair Mohammad Saifullah, Khatib of Kishoreganj Bara Bazar Mosque, will lead the prayer. Maulana Zubair Ibn Abdul Hai, a lecturer at Hoibatnagar A. U. Kamil Madrasa, will be the alternate imam.

Due to security reasons, worshippers will not be able to enter the ground with anything other than a cap, prayer mat and mobile phone. Carrying umbrellas has also been banned.

Kishoreganj-1 constituency MP Md. Mazharul Islam, Deputy Commissioner and Eidgah Management Committee President Mohammad Aslam Mollah, RAB-14 Mymensingh Commander Additional DIG Naimul Islam and Superintendent of Police Dr. SM Farhad Hossain.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Aslam Mollah said that all preparations for organizing the Eid Jamaat are almost complete. All necessary measures have been taken to ensure the safety of the worshippers.

Superintendent of Police Dr. SM Farhad Hossain said that extra security has been taken every year since the 2016 incident. This time too, a four-tier security zone has been set up. About 1,100 police members will be on duty. Multiple checkposts and pickets have been set up in the field and surrounding areas. Four of the six watch towers will be used by the police and two by RAB.

He also said that in addition to CCTV surveillance, there will be four drone cameras and six video cameras throughout the field. A bomb disposal team, sweeping team and quick response team will be on security. In addition, the fire service, six ambulances and a medical team will be ready.

RAB-14 commander Naimul Islam said that round-the-clock surveillance will be carried out through snipers, drone cameras and watch towers. RAB members will perform their duties in uniform and plain clothes. He also said that there is no threat of any kind.

Eidgah Management Committee Member Secretary and Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Kamrul Hasan Maruf said that all facilities have been ensured for the devotees, including preparing the ground, painting, ablution and bathing facilities.

To facilitate the movement of devotees, two special trains named 'Sholakia Express' will run on the Kishoreganj-Mymensingh and Bhairab-Kishoreganj routes on the day of Eid.

It is worth noting that on July 7, 2016, four people, including two policemen, a woman and a militant, were killed in a militant attack on the Sholakia Eidgah. 16 more devotees were injured. Although security has been strengthened since then, the attendance of devotees in the congregation has not decreased.

According to legend, the name 'Sholakiya' originated from the mention of 'one and a half lakh' worshippers in Shah Sufi Syed Ahmed's prayer. In 1950, Dewan Mannan Dad Khan endowed 4.35 acres of land for the Eidgah. Currently, about one and a half lakh worshippers can offer prayers here at a time in 265 rows.