The largest Eid-ul-Fitr congregation in Bangladesh is set to take place at the historic Sholakia Eidgah field in Kishoreganj at 10:00 am on the day of Eid, reports UNB.
This marks the 198th edition of the Eid prayer at this iconic location, which attracts worshippers from across the country and abroad.
Mufti Abul Khayer Mohammad Saifulloh will lead this year’s prayer, continuing a long-standing tradition of renowned scholars presiding over the event. Due to the field's prestigious reputation and its strong connection to local and regional heritage, hundreds of thousands of worshippers, including those from remote districts and foreign countries, gather here annually to participate in the congregation.
Kishoreganj Deputy Commissioner and President of the Sholakia Eidgah Management Committee, Fouzia Khan, said, “To facilitate the movement of worshippers to Sholakia for the Eid prayer, two special trains named Sholakia Express will operate on the Bhairab-Kishoreganj and Mymensingh-Kishoreganj routes. The district administration has arranged for the accommodation and meals of the worshippers coming from far-off places.”
This year’s congregation is expected to see over two lakh worshippers, further cementing the field's reputation as the largest Eid prayer venue in the country. The prayer will be held promptly at 10:00 AM, with security and logistical arrangements carefully planned to accommodate the large turnout.
Police Superintendent Md. Hasan Chowdhury said, “Various measures have been taken to ensure tight security and a smooth Eid prayer. In light of the 2016 militant attack at Sholakia, additional security measures will be implemented this year. The entire field and its surroundings will be under a security blanket. During the prayer, a strong security perimeter will be maintained with five platoons of BGB, a large number of police, RAB, and Ansar personnel.
“Various intelligence agency personnel will also monitor the field in plain clothes. Additionally, CCTV cameras, watchtowers, archways, and metal detectors will be installed at the entrance points, and a drone camera will fly overhead for surveillance. As a result, worshippers will be able to offer their prayers safely, without any disturbances, and with complete peace of mind.”
RAB-14 Commanding Officer Mohammad Naimul Hasan said, “Over a hundred RAB members will be assigned to various security duties in several layers at the field. Watchtowers have also been constructed to monitor the field.”
The number of participants has grown steadily over the years, reflecting the increasing importance of the Sholakia Eidgah as a spiritual centre.
“Praying together at this location is considered a significant source of spiritual reward, with many believers attending in the hope that their prayers will be accepted by Allah Ta'ala,” said a local worshipper.
The Sholakia Eidgah, established in 1828 by Dewan Hazrat Khan Bahadur, the sixth descendant of Masnad-e-Ala Isha Khan, spans about seven acres and has 265 rows of prayer spaces. The first Eid prayer at Sholakia, attended by around 1.25 lakh worshippers, gave the field its original name, "Sowa Lakhi Maath." Over time, the name evolved into the current "Sholakia Field."
There is a tradition at this field where, five, three, and two minutes before the start of the prayer, the sound of blank gunshots from a short gun is used as a signal to indicate that it is time to prepare for prayer.
With such comprehensive planning in place, the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer at Sholakia is set to proceed smoothly, allowing worshippers to offer their prayers in peace and safety.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
