Festivals are common to all societies and cultures. With the change of social and economic structures, the nature of festivals also changes. But some festivals are so deeply rooted in the social organism that they continue to entertain from generation to generation. Some of the festivals bear the mark of the community and nationality, some have the stamp of religion, and again some bear the impression of politics. The festivals, which got started in the primitive society centering on the prayer for food, have now been filled with various colors and varieties.

Mashjid

Eid-ul Fitr one of the two main Muslim religious festivals. Eid and fitr are ARABIC words. Eid means festival and fitr means to open, to break fasting, to go back to normal situation. Eid-ul Fitr is the day of joy on the 1st of the month of Shawwal, when people return to the normal routine of life after completing the siam (restraint) and fasting in the holy month of RAMADAN. The month of siam begins after the appearance of the new moon of the month of holy Ramadan and roza (fasting) closes on sighting the new moon of the next month of Shawwal. During this month Muslims keep anger, sex, senses and emotions, illusions and jealousy under restraint. For this reason, the word fitr is used in the sense of victory also. Eid-ul Fitr is the latest among the main religious festivals. Observance of this great festival of piety had begun only 1380 solar years ago. Eid-ul Fitr started being observed as a festival immediately after the Hijrat (migration) of the Prophet Muhammad (Sm) to Madina. The HADITH narrated by Hazrat Anas (R) depicts the following: "after the great Prophet (Sm) arrived at Madina, he observed that the people of the town celebrates two special days with fanfare. He then asked, what were these days? The local people replied that they had been celebrating these two days since the Jaheli era. Then Rasulullah (Sm) said, 'Allah gave you two other good days instead of these two.

Eid Jamat

Eid-ul Azha ('Id-ul Adha) also known as Eid al-Kurban or Eid al-Nahr is one of the two main Muslim religious festivals. In Bangladesh it is popularly known as Kurbanir Eid or Bakra Eid. Eid and Azha are ARABIC words meaning festival and sacrifice respectively.

Eid-ul Azha commemorates the sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim (A), who had been asked by Almighty Allah to sacrifice his dearest son Hazrat Ismail (A) and with the consent of his son Hazrat Ibrahim (A) arranged everything to implement Allah's order at a place called Mina near Mokka in solar year 3800. Allah was satisfied by Hazrat Ibraim's sincere intent and ordered him to sacrifice an animal in place of his son.

Following this event that symbolises highest loyalty and submission to Allah Muslims at Mina and all parts of the world sacrifice animals on the day of Eid-ul Azha as a symbol of sacrifice for Him. Animal sacrifice in the name of Allah is a major feature of Eid-ul Azha. From the sacrifice and through the distribution of sacrificial meat to the poor and distressed, one gets a spiritual satisfaction and pleasure, which obtains a socially festive character.
Kurbani or sacrifice of animals by following the example of sacrifice by Hazrat Ibrahim (A) at Mina is wadib or obligatory (according to many, sunna Muaqqada) for not only those Muslims who perform HAJJ but also for all solvent Muslims of the world.

Eid-ul Azha is observed on the 10th of Jhu-l-Hijjah and on this day, Muslims who perform the Hajj sacrifice animals on the field of Mina. Sacrifice can also be offered on the following day and according to some, on the third day, too (Ainial Tashriq). Animals offered for sacrifice must be of specific age and are required to be free from certain defects. They should not be blind, have broken legs or horns or ears separated either partially or in full. The time of sacrifice begins following the NAMAJ of Eid-ul Azha and continues up to the sunset of the next two/three days. A camel, cow or buffalo can be sacrificed in the names of seven persons, while a lamb or a goat in the name of one person only. Usually cows, goats and buffaloes are sacrificed in Bangladesh. Some people are also seen to import camels for the purpose of sacrifice.

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