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Published : 29 Mar 2025, 07:53 PM
The Eid-ul-Fitr congregation at Kishoreganj’s Sholakia Eidgah will be held at 10am.
Deputy Commissioner Fauzia Khan, also the president of the Sholakia Eidgah Management Committee, confirmed the timing during a visit to the venue at 1pm on Saturday.
She said the congregation will be led by Maulana Abul Khair Md Saifullah, the khatib of Boro Bazar Jame Mosque.
Maulana Zobayer Ibn Abdul Hai, a lecturer at Haibatnagar AU Alia Madrasa, will serve as the alternate imam.
The deputy commissioner said all preparations have been completed to ensure a smooth prayer session.
“Top priority has been given to security. Law-enforcing agencies will enforce a four-tier security system, with five platoons of [Border Guard Bangladesh] deployed,” she added.
This will be the 198th Eid-ul-Fitr congregation at Sholakia since the first prayers were held in 1828.
The venue can accommodate over 300,000 devotees at a time.
Preparations, including marking prayer rows, spreading sand, repainting walls, and renovating ablution and sanitation facilities, have been completed.
Additional amenities have been arranged, including safe drinking water, medical teams, and accommodation for visitors from distant areas.
Volunteers have also been mobilised to assist attendees.
For long-distance travellers, Bangladesh Railway has arranged two special trains, named Sholakia Special.
One train will depart from Mymensingh at 5:45am while the other will leave Bhairab at 6am.
The return trips are scheduled for 12pm after the congregation.
Authorities have set up lodging and meal facilities at three educational institutions and hotels for attendees from different regions, including foreign visitors.
Security arrangements have been reviewed multiple times by officials, including the deputy commissioner, superintendent of police (SP), and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
“The Eidgah and its surroundings will be under a comprehensive security blanket,” said Kishoreganj SP Mohammad Hasan Chowdhury.
Police, RAB, BGB, army personnel, and Ansar members will be on duty, alongside Fire Service and medical teams.
He added, “This year, six watchtowers, CCTV cameras, and drones will monitor the area as part of the strict four-tier security measures.
“A Quick Response Team will remain on standby, and traffic police will be stationed at different points.”
Attendees will only be allowed to carry prayer mats and mobile phones inside the premises.
RAB-14 Commander Additional Deputy Inspector General said a reserve force will also be deployed to support security operations.
