The 198th Eid-ul-Azha congregation was held at the historic Sholakia Eidgah Maidan in Kishoreganj this morning (June 7), drawing tens of thousands of worshippers from across the country amid heightened security measures.

The Eid jamaat began at 9 am, led by Mufti Maulana Abul Khair Mohammad Saifullah. 

In keeping with a longstanding tradition, six blank shots were fired from a shotgun to signal the start of the congregation — three shots five minutes prior, two at three minutes, and the final one a minute before the prayer commenced.

Thousands of devotees had begun arriving since early morning, some traveling from distant districts, drawn by the belief that prayers offered in such a large congregation bring greater spiritual reward. 

To facilitate the influx, two special trains were operated from Mymensingh and Bhairab.

Following the prayers, Mufti Saifullah delivered a sermon, offering special prayers for peace, prosperity, and unity in Bangladesh and the wider Muslim Ummah.

Senior government officials, political leaders, and community representatives were in attendance.

Security around the Eidgah was significantly reinforced. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Armed Police Battalion (APBn), were deployed, while drone surveillance, CCTV cameras, and watchtowers were used to monitor the area. 

Entry was tightly controlled, with worshippers screened using metal detectors at designated archways. Bags were prohibited, though prayer mats and mobile phones were permitted.

According to local historians, the Sholakia Eidgah first hosted a massive congregation in 1828, when an estimated 1.25 lakh (125,000) devotees gathered to offer prayers. 

The site, originally referred to as "Sowa Lakhia" (one and a quarter lakh), gradually came to be known as Sholakia, and has since become the most prominent Eid venue in the country.

SMS/