Eid ul-Adha, one of the main religious festivals of Muslims, is being celebrated across the country. Devout Muslims have sacrificed animals according to their means, hoping for the boundless grace of Almighty Allah. On Eid day, Thursday (29 June), there was intermittent rain from the morning in the capital, as in other parts of the country. But after offering Eid prayers in the rain, worshippers went ahead with the sacrifice as usual, and the cutting of the meat carried on regardless of the rain.

In Dhaka many people sacrificed animals after the morning Eid prayers, and then the meat was cut up. After midday many of those who sacrificed in Dhaka set off for their village homes with meat for their families. Many of them sacrifice in Dhaka every year but share the joy of Eid with family in the village.

In the afternoon, most people heading for various destinations on Dhaka's roads were seen carrying sacrificial meat. Many had sacrificed in Dhaka and were now taking the meat to their villages. Some had boiled the meat, while others carried it raw in packets.

Anwar Hossain, a resident of Jatrabari, was going to Barishal by launch from Sadarghat. He told Jagonews24: "Several of us sacrificed together in Dhaka, and I took one share. From that I gave some to the poor and relatives and kept some in Dhaka for my wife and children. I am taking the rest to my mother and brother in the village. I go home on Eid day every year. The launch is convenient, so I am going by launch. The launch has a fridge, and if you pay you can keep the meat in it, so the meat stays fresh."

Seasonal butcher Abul Mia said: "My home is in Madaripur. At Eid ul-Adha I take work butchering two or three cattle, then go home in the afternoon on Eid day with meat. Today I worked fast from the morning and finished by three. Now I will go home and eat the sacrificial meat with everyone."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.