Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of Muslims, will be celebrated across the country on August 12 as the new moon of the Arabic month of Zilhaj was sighted in Bangladesh sky yesterday.

State Minister for Religious Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah made the announcement after a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee at Islamic Foundation’s Baitul Mukarram office after Maghrib prayers.

Muslims celebrate the Eid-ul-Azha on the 10th of Zilhaj to commemorate the true spirit of sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim (AS).

On this day, some 4,000 years ago, Prophet Ibrahim had offered to sacrifice his son Ismail, 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.