Khulna gears up for Eid-ul-Azha with elaborate arrangements

The government has taken elaborate preparations to celebrate the holy Eid-ul-Azha in Khulna with due religious fervour, festivity and solemnity. The main Eid congregation will be held at 7am at the Khulna Circuit House ground. In case of inclement weather, three alternative congregations will be arranged at Khulna Town Jame Mosque at 7am, 8am and 9am respectively.

Another Eid congregation will be held at 7:30 am at the Model Mosque adjacent to Khulna Alia Madrasa. Separate arrangements with adequate privacy facilities will also be ensured for women worshippers at the Circuit House ground. Under the supervision of ward-level officials, Eid congregations will also be organised in every ward of Khulna City Corporation, while committees of other mosques and Eidgahs will fix their own prayer schedules.

On the occasion, national flags of prescribed colour and size will be hoisted at all government, semi-government, autonomous and private establishments and lowered before sunset. Major roads, important intersections, traffic islands and the Circuit House ground will be decorated with national flags alongside Eid Mubarak banners in Bangla and Arabic. Special meals will be served at hospitals, prisons, government children's homes, rehabilitation centres, safe homes and welfare institutions for underprivileged people.

The Islamic Foundation will organise seminars and discussion meetings highlighting the significance of Eid-ul-Azha. To maintain law and order during the Eid holidays, law enforcement agencies will adopt special security measures across the metropolitan and district areas. Authorities have prohibited fireworks and crackers, roadside stalls obstructing roads, use of high-volume microphones and drums, splashing coloured water and reckless motorcycle riding during Eid celebrations.

Movement of cargo vessels and sand-laden bulkheads on rivers will remain suspended at night during the Eid period, while speedboat operations will also remain closed at night. In addition, movement of sand-carrying vessels on waterways will remain suspended from May 27 to June 6. Law enforcement agencies will intensify patrols to prevent robbery, extortion and harassment of passengers and workers on waterways. Legal action will also be taken against eve-teasers and hooligans.

Authorities said no cattle market would be allowed in metropolitan or district areas without proper approval. Establishment of cattle markets near launch terminals, highways, roadsides and educational institutions has also been prohibited. Law enforcement agencies will take necessary measures to prevent extortion, excessive toll collection, snatching and pickpocketing at cattle markets and during transportation of sacrificial animals from distant areas.

After sacrificial slaughter on Eid day, authorities instructed people to clean the areas immediately using sufficient water and bleaching powder to prevent waterlogging and environmental pollution. Sacrificial animals must be slaughtered only at designated places. The administration also emphasised ensuring fair prices of sacrificial animal hides so that orphanages, madrasas and other institutions receive proper value. People have also been urged to remain alert against rumours on social media surrounding the hide market.

To avoid traffic congestion and preserve the city's beauty, the administration discouraged installation of roadside gates, banners and festoons during Eid. Plainclothes police and mobile courts will remain active at bus terminals, railway stations and river terminals to prevent criminal activities, including mugging and fraud. Measures will also be taken to prevent circulation of counterfeit currency.

Parking arrangements for worshippers attending the main Eid congregation will be made at the outer stadium adjacent to Khulna District Stadium, while adequate ablution facilities will also be ensured. Authorities requested people to immediately inform the law enforcement control room through mobile number 01777710699 if any incident threatening public order occurs during the Eid holidays. On the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, Bangladesh Betar Khulna Centre will broadcast special programmes, while local newspapers will publish special Eid supplements. Similar programmes will also be observed at upazila levels.