Sholakia hosts largest Eid congregation in recent memory with 6 lakh worshippers
The historic Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj witnessed an unprecedented congregation of around 600,000 worshippers for the 198th Eid-ul-Fitr prayers this morning, held peacefully under stringent security measures.
The congregation, which took place at 10:00am, was led by Mufti Abul Khayer Mohammad Saifullah.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. "This year's Eid prayers saw approximately 600,000 worshippers, marking the largest congregation in recent memory," said the president of the Sholakia Eidgah Management Committee.
Following the prayer, special supplications were made for the martyrs of key historical events, including the 1952 Language Movement, the 1971 Liberation War, and the 2024 People's Uprising. Prayers were also offered for the martyrs of Gaza and for the oppressed Muslim Ummah worldwide.
With favourable weather conditions, crowds stretched several kilometres beyond the Sholakia grounds. As per tradition, three gunshots were fired before the prayers.
To manage the massive turnout, an extensive five-tier security system was implemented.
Personnel from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), police, and Ansar forces were deployed, while worshippers underwent security screening with metal detectors. For the first time, the army was tasked with overseeing security.
Devotees began arriving at the Sholakia Eidgah—situated on the eastern edge of Kishoreganj town near the Norosunda River—early in the morning.
Traffic in the surrounding areas was suspended for several hours due to the overwhelming influx of people.
To accommodate worshippers from distant areas, two special trains, dubbed the "Sholakia Special", were arranged.
One train departed from Mymensingh at 5:45am, while another left Bhairab at 6:00am, both carrying thousands of passengers to the Eidgah.
The event saw the participation of high-ranking officials, including Kishoreganj's Additional District Commissioner Mejazabe Rahmat, Superintendent of Police Hasan Chowdhury, and other administrative personnel, alongside politicians and thousands of worshippers.
Established in 1828 by Dewan Haybat Khan Bahadur, a descendant of Munsid-i-Ala Isha Khan, the Sholakia Eidgah spans nearly seven acres along the Norosunda River. Local legend suggests that during one Eid congregation, more than 125,000 worshippers gathered, giving rise to the name 'Sowa Lakhia,' which later became Sholakia. Today, the Eidgah accommodates 265 rows for worshippers.
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