Agargaon Eid celebration draws massive crowd, revives Mughal-era festivities

"I have never seen such an Eid celebration in my life," shared one Hasibul Islam who had come to the Dhaka International Trade Fair ground with his wife and two children around 7:30am to attend the Eid prayers.

"I have never seen such an Eid celebration in my life," shared one Hasibul Islam who had come to the Dhaka International Trade Fair ground with his wife and two children around 7:30am to attend the Eid prayers.

As the prayer time approached, he was astonished to see the massive crowd gathering for the congregation. After completing the prayer at 8:30am, he and his family joined the grand Eid celebration procession. His two children, aged 8 and 6, joyfully chanted Eid slogans and fully immersed themselves in the festivities.

Hasibul Islam shared his overwhelming experience. "I have heard that during the Mughal era, such grand Eid rallies used to take place. Today, being a part of this procession in traditional Mughal style makes me feel like I have traveled back in time," he said.

He further added, "Eid used to mean praying in the morning, having a meal, and taking the children to the zoo in the evening. But this time, being among such a large crowd, my children are enjoying themselves immensely, especially seeing the horse-drawn carriages, buffalo carts, and vibrant decorations.

"We hope such celebrations continue every year so that we can truly experience festivities in their fullest spirit. Under past authoritarian regimes, religious celebrations were often restricted under security pretexts, but this time we are celebrating freely and safely."

Hasibul's younger son, Hamza, expressed his excitement, saying, "I'm having so much fun this Eid! Today, I'll spend the whole day with my parents, enjoying every moment."

Not just Hasibul, but thousands of people attended the Eid prayer and celebration procession in Agargaon. People from different parts of the capital, irrespective of religion and background, joined the festive event. Many attendees expressed that they had never seen such an Eid celebration in Dhaka before.

This year marked the first Eid congregation at Agargaon International Trade Fair Ground, organised by the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). The organisers were unprepared for such an overwhelming turnout as the number of attendees at the venue was three or four times than anticipated.

The Eid procession started at 8:50am from the DITF grounds, passing through Begum Rokeya Avenue, Khamarbari, and ending at Manik Mia Avenue, where a cultural programme was organised.

Eid fair brings joy at Agargaon

A two-day Eid fair is also taking place at the China Friendship Conference Center in Agargaon, featuring over 200 stalls selling food, clothing, cosmetics, and other products. The fair has attracted a massive crowd since morning, with families enjoying shopping, taking pictures, and relishing the festive atmosphere.

Children, in particular, are excited about the various puppet and cartoon-themed displays. Parents expressed their happiness at the unique arrangements, while vendors at the fair also enjoyed the enthusiastic response from customers.

Md Nazrul Islam, a military officer who attended the fair with his two children, said, "Due to my job, I can't travel to my hometown for Eid. But this time, even though I couldn't go home, I am experiencing a vibrant Eid with my children here in Dhaka. They are thrilled, especially by the Sultanate-era puppets."

He further added, "Such events are fantastic for children's cognitive development and help them learn about history in an engaging way."

Vendors at the fair also shared their joy. Md Faisal Sarkar Ahmed of Protyasha Kitchen said, "We came from Goran to set up our stall. We are not only selling food but also enjoying the festive spirit with everyone. The response has been incredible."

Sharif Ziaul, who brought his two children to the fair, commented, "This year, Eid feels very secure. We usually celebrate Ramadan Eid in Dhaka, and this time, the experience has been extraordinary."

Kathy Gomez of Mamata Kitchen added, "I have never seen a market like this on Eid day. I couldn't even imagine so many people would come. It's an incredible experience."

Rana Miaji of Nurunnabi Pitha House, who was selling fresh juices, shared his amazement, "Celebrating Eid with such a massive crowd is unbelievable. We can hardly keep up with the demand for juice. Although I'm not with my family, I am celebrating Eid with everyone here, and it's a wonderful feeling. I hope we have more events like this in the future."