600,000 Devotees Offer Eid Prayer at Sholakia

The historic Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj hosted an unprecedented gathering of around 600,000 worshippers for the 198th Eid-ul-Fitr congregation on Monday, marking one of the largest assemblies in its history. The prayer, held at 10 am, was led by Mufti Abul Khayer Mohammad Saifullah and conducted peacefully under a stringent five-tier security arrangement.

“For the largest Eid congregation in recent memory, approximately 600,000 worshippers performed their prayers,” stated the President of the Sholakia Eidgah Management Committee.

Following the prayer, special supplications were offered for the martyrs of Bangladesh’s key historical movements, including the 1952 Language Movement, the 1971 Liberation War, and the 2024 People’s Uprising. Prayers were also extended for the martyrs of Gaza and the oppressed Muslim Ummah worldwide.

Favorable weather conditions encouraged a massive turnout, with worshippers stretching several kilometers beyond the designated prayer ground. As per tradition, three gunshots signaled the start of the prayer, ensuring all attendees were prepared.

The congregation was graced by distinguished guests, including Kishoreganj’s Additional District Commissioner Mejazabe Rahmat, Superintendent of Police Hasan Chowdhury, and other senior officials. The Sholakia Eidgah Management Committee, alongside the Kishoreganj District Administration, confirmed this year’s turnout as the largest in recent history.

To ensure security, personnel from the army, BGB, RAB, police, and Ansar were deployed across the area, with worshippers undergoing rigorous security screenings, including metal detector checks. For the first time, army troops were entrusted with overseeing security operations.

Devotees began arriving early in the morning at the Sholakia Eidgah, situated near the Norosunda River on the eastern edge of the district town. Traffic restrictions were imposed for several hours to accommodate the overwhelming influx of worshippers.

To facilitate travel, two special trains—dubbed the 'Sholakia Special'—were arranged, one departing from Mymensingh at 5:45 am and another from Bhairab at 6 am, transporting thousands to the congregation site.

The origins of the Sholakia Eidgah date back to 1828 when Dewan Haybat Khan Bahadur, a descendant of Munsid-i-Ala Isha Khan, established the prayer ground along the Norosunda River. The name ‘Sholakia’ is derived from ‘Sowa Lakhia’ (one and a quarter lakh), referencing an early Eid congregation that drew over 125,000 devotees. Today, the field spans approximately seven acres and accommodates worshippers in 265 organized rows.