Eid congregation held in Sholakia on a wet ground

The sky in Kishoreganj was covered with continuous rain and thick black clouds for several days. Although the weather was somewhat comfortable on the morning of Eid, heavy rain began as soon as the congregation began. Nevertheless, ignoring the rain, one of the largest Eid congregations in the country was held at the traditional Sholakia Eidgah. The 199th Eid-ul-Azha congregation was held on a wet and muddy ground.

Devotees from different parts of the country started coming to the Eidgah from early morning with raincoats, umbrellas and plastic covers. Despite the muddy and wet ground, the presence of people in the congregation was noticeable. For security reasons, nothing other than prayers and mobile phones were allowed to enter the ground.

Before the Eid congregation began, as per the prevailing rules, three rounds of shotgun shots were fired as a signal. The congregation began at 9 am. Mufti Abul Khair Mohammad Saifullah led the prayer. After the prayers, special prayers were offered for the peace and prosperity of the country, nation and Muslim Ummah.

After the 2016 militant attack, the Eid congregation in Sholakia was organized amid tight security. BGB, police, RAB, armed police and Ansar members performed their duties in the field and surrounding areas. In addition, there was intelligence surveillance, bomb disposal unit searches and CCTV monitoring.

Although normal travel was disrupted due to rain, special trains were operated on the Bhairab and Mymensingh routes. Thousands of devotees reached Sholakia.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Mijabe Rahmat said, "We had made all preparations even in the adverse weather. The congregation was completed peacefully with the cooperation of the devotees."

Superintendent of Police Mohammad Mizanur Rahman said, "Despite the rain and adversity, the security arrangements were intact. This is a successful event for us.’

According to tradition, this Eidgah, established in 1750, got its name ‘Sholakiya’ after one and a half lakh worshippers offered prayers together in 1828.