As the country prepares for Eid-ul-Azha, the historic Sholakia Eidgah Maidan in Kishoreganj is set to host the largest Eid congregation. Preparations are nearly complete, including marking the Eidgah ground, lime work, and toilet repairs, with final touches underway.
This year’s congregation will begin at 9 am, led by Maulana Hifzur Rahman, the imam of Barabazar mosque in the city. Security is a top priority, with four levels of protection encompassing the area. The railway has arranged two special trains to accommodate long-distance travellers.
Security at the Jamaat is robust, featuring two platoons of BGB alongside a significant presence of police and RAB. Authorities have already secured the field, implementing strict measures to ensure safety.
Worshippers must pass through four security checkpoints, undergoing body searches with metal detectors at each entrance. Inside and around the field, CCTV cameras will provide constant surveillance.
To enhance security, six watchtowers have been erected around the Eidgah, and four powerful drone cameras will monitor the surroundings.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad and Superintendent of Police Mohammad Russell Sheikh updated journalists on the security arrangements after their final inspection on Saturday, June 15. The Superintendent assured that all preparations are in their final stages, ensuring worshippers can safely return home after prayers.
The Sholakia Eidgah, with its rich history spanning nearly two and a half centuries, attracts millions of worshippers from across the globe each year. Generations of families have prayed in this six-acre site. In 1828, 125,000 Muslims performed Eid prayers here, giving rise to the name 'Soa Lakhia,' now known as Sholakia.
