DHAKA: Public Works Department and Dhaka City Corporation under joint efforts completed arrangement of the National Eidgah for smooth holding of Eid congregation, which was hampered last year due to inclement weather.

The biggest religious festival of the Muslims, Eid-ul-Fitr, will be celebrated in Bangladesh just after two days.

The main Eid jamaat (congregation) of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr will be held at the National Eidgah on the Supreme Court premises in the city, with national leaders in the forefront.

Some 125,000 Muslims will offer Eid prayers at the national congregation. President Zillur Rahman, Speaker Advocate Abdul Hamid, Cabinet Members, MPs, the Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court, political leaders, diplomats from different countries in Bangladesh and high officials of the government would line up beside the commoners at the National Eidgah.

A probe committee was formed to investigate the reluctance of the authority as the Muslim devotees had to offer prayers getting drenched with rainwater last year.

The Ministry of Public Works started making the new arrangement in July, ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, and completed the arrangement in the middle of August.

Messrs Piaru Sardar and Sons was the company hired for for the decoration works. Some 250 workers did the decoration for 20 days, without break, to complete its decoration.

General Manager of Messers Piaru Sarder and Sons Mozammel Hossain told banglanews that waterproof tarpaulin has been used in erecting the huge canopy.

State Minister for Housing and Public Works Abdul Mannan expressed satisfaction while visiting the arrangement of Eidgah.

“Devotees who will come here for prayer will not have to suffer this year," he said.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police has already been given the responsibility of maintaining security of the Eidgah, sources said.

The cops started installing close-circuit camera at 20 points of the Eidgah.

Dhaka WASA would supply sufficient water for ablution (odu) of the devotees. Two strong water pumps have been placed at the northeastern corner of the Eidgah.

Dhaka City Mayor Sadek Hossain Khoka said the preparation of the Eidgah is at the last stage. "I hope that the devotees will not have to suffer this year," he said.  

BDST: 1620 HRS, SEPT 8, 2010