Millions head to hometowns in Bangladesh to celebrate Eid al-Adha
In Dhaka, long-distance bus stations, ferry terminals and train stations were seen overflowing with hundreds of thousands of home-bound passengers after work hours on Thursday, the last workday of the week before the Eid holidays.
DHAKA: With Eid al-Adha just around the corner, millions of Bangladeshis are packing bus and train stations and airports as they head to their hometowns to celebrate the festival of animal sacrifice and enjoy family reunion.
In Dhaka, long-distance bus stations, ferry terminals and train stations were seen overflowing with hundreds of thousands of home-bound passengers after work hours on Thursday, the last workday of the week before the Eid holidays.
While passengers crowded ferry, train and bus terminals, other city residents who had their own cars or hired vehicles were making their last-minute shopping and business transactions before their long road trip home.
Bangladeshi Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Adha on June 17 with the spirit of sacrifice, marking one of the major festivals in the South Asian nation. The festival is celebrated on the 10th day in the month of the lunar Islamic calendar after the holy Hajj.
The Bangladeshi government has already declared a three-day holiday of Eid vacation on June 16-18.
According to some estimates, about one-third of Dhaka’s 20 million residents usually leave the capital city twice a year on Eid al-Fitr, the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha.
Every Muslim who has financial means sacrifices animals and distributes the meat to family members and the poor.
Cattle markets in the city were seen Thursday flooded with customers and a large number of cows, goats, sheep, camels and buffalo from across the country.
Authorities have approved at least 16 cattle markets to help Dhaka residents purchase sacrificial animals in designated spots.
This year, authorities estimated a demand for 10.7 million sacrificial animals nationwide, while over 12.9 million animals are available for the ritual.
Bangladeshi Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdur Rahman told media recently that there will be no shortage of sacrificial animals during the upcoming Eid al-Adha.
Authorities are fully prepared to handle the supply and management of sacrificial animals, with an expected supply of 12,980,367 animals this year, an increase of 444,034 from the previous year.
-Xinhua
