The holy Eid-ul-Azha, the second biggest religious festival of the Muslims, is being celebrated across the country today with due solemnity and religious fervour.

On the occasion, the Muslims across the country are offering prayers in congregations and sacrificing animals in the name of Almighty Allah.

They are also offering special munajat seeking divine blessings for peace, progress and prosperity of the country as well as welfare of the Muslim Ummah.

The Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated on the 10th of Zilhajj month of the Hizri calendar as Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), on this day, some 4,500 years ago, offered to sacrifice his beloved son Hazrat Ismail (AS) who willingly submitted to the will of his father to please Allah.

But the Almighty in His benign mercy spared Hazrat Ismail (AS) and instead sent a ram to be sacrificed.

To commemorate this historic event, the Muslims all over the world slaughter sacrificial animals and draw inspiration from the unique example of sacrifice to please Allah as shown by two great prophets -- Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS).

President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Begum Rawshan Ershad gave separate messages, greeting the Muslims in Bangladesh and all over the world on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.

Meanwhile, millions of people left the capital and other major cities to celebrate Eid with their near and dear ones in the countryside.

State-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar and other TV channels and radio stations are broadcasting special programmes on the Eid-ul-Azha.

Later on the day, improved diets will be served to inmates of government hospitals, prisons, orphanages, safe homes and shelter centers.

The main Eid congregation was held at the National Eidgah in the capital at 8am. President M Abdul Hamid offered Eid-ul-Azha prayers along with hundreds of people from all walks of life at the National Eidgah. Senior Pesh Imam of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Maulana Muhammad Mizanur Rahman led the main Eid congregation at the Eidgah.

A total of five Eid congregations have been organised at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. The first one was scheduled for at 7am, second at 8am, third at 9am, fourth at 10am and the last one at 10.45am.

One Eid congregation was held at the south plaza of the Sangsad Bhaban at 7.30 am.

Two Eid congregations were held at the Dhaka University central mosque - the first one at 8am and the second at 9am.