The district administration and Cox’s Bazar municipality have nearly completed preparations for two Eid-ul-Azha congregations at the central Eidgah ground in Cox’s Bazar.
The first congregation will be held at 7:30am on Thursday (28 May), with Mufti Mawlana Solaiman Qasemi, chief imam of the Central Model Mosque, leading the prayers.
The second congregation is scheduled for 8:30am and will be led by assistant imam Hafez Mawlana Mohammad Osman Gani.
Cox’s Bazar municipality administrator Mohammad Shamim Al Imran said around 85 per cent of the preparation work at the Eidgah ground had already been completed.
He said arrangements had been made to accommodate more than 8,000 worshippers in each congregation.
Considering the possibility of rain, the organisers have also arranged tarpaulin coverings and water drainage facilities at the venue.
Municipality chief executive officer Mohammad Adnan Chowdhury said worshippers would be able to enter the Eidgah ground through five separate gates.
To ensure security, the venue will have CCTV cameras, members of the Rapid Action Battalion, police personnel, and plainclothes intelligence officials deployed.
Medical teams will also remain on standby during the congregations.
Additional Superintendent of Police Debdut Majumdar said a two-tier security arrangement had been put in place in and around the Eidgah ground.
Archway gates will also be installed at important entry points, he added.
Meanwhile, municipality administrative officer Chhaiyadul Haque Azad stated that arrangements have been made to provide safe drinking water, over 150 ceiling fans, stand fans, and air coolers for the worshippers.
In addition, worshippers entering the Eidgah ground will be provided with attar, mineral water and tissues as complimentary items.
Organisers said the entire Eidgah ground had been decorated aesthetically to ensure both comfort and a festive atmosphere for worshippers.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
