Sholakia hosts 199th Eid congregation amid torrential rain

Thousands of Muslims braved torrential rain and a muddy field to join the 199th Eid-ul-Azha congregation at the historic Sholakia Eidgah Maidan on 28 May.

The heavy downpour, which started early in the morning, could not dampen the spirit of the devotees who gathered from various parts of the country to offer their prayers.

Following tradition, officials fired blank shotgun rounds—three shots five minutes before, two shots two minutes before, and one shot one minute before the start—to signal the congregation. The main prayer began at 9:00am, and Mufti Abul Khayer Mohammad Saifullah led the congregation.

After the prayers, the congregation offered special supplications seeking peace, prosperity, and stability for Bangladesh and the global Muslim community. The devotees made special prayers for the oppressed Muslims across the world, particularly those facing conflicts and crises in Palestine.

Authorities enforced a strict multi-tier security blanket around the Eidgah area to ensure safety. Members of the police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Ansar deployed at key points and thoroughly searched devotees at the entry gates.

The railway authorities operated two special trains from Bhairab and Mymensingh to facilitate the travel of the homebound devotees despite the adverse weather.

Established in 1750 on the banks of the Narasunda River, Sholakia remains one of the largest Eid destinations in the region. Local lore suggests that 125,000 devotees offered prayers together here in 1828, earning the ground the name "Sholakia" from the expression Swaya Lakhi (one lakh and a quarter).