This year, public servants in Bangladesh are enjoying an extended 10-day holiday for Eid-ul-Azha, starting today (Thursday) and continuing until June 14. Understandably, this extended break has brought much joy to government officials and employees.
As in previous years, millions of people are leaving Dhaka and other major cities to celebrate Eid with their families in rural areas. The rush began on Wednesday afternoon, with many government workers departing immediately after completing their last day at work. To avoid the anticipated travel chaos, many families sent their members ahead earlier in the week. Meanwhile, students and private sector employees are also making their way home.
The holy Eid-ul-Azha, one of the biggest religious festival of the Muslims, will be celebrated in the country on June 7 as the moon of the holy month of Zilhaj of 1446 Hijri was sighted in the sky of Bangladesh on May 28. The Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated on the 10th day of Zilhaj.
We extend our very best wishes and greetings to the countrymen, our readers, well-wishers and the Muslims across the world on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Azha. Some 4,500 years ago the Prophet Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) 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.
The deep obedience and devotion Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) showed to Allah by taking steps to sacrifice his beloved son Hazrat Ismail (AS) at the directives of Allah is incomparable in the history of the world. Being inspired by the spirit of sacrifice of Prophet Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), we hope we all will devote ourselves to the welfare of the country. The festival is held following the completion of the yearly Holy Pilgrimage of Hajj.
The festival will begin with the offering of Eid prayers by tens of millions of Muslims at mosques and Eidgahs throughout the country. After the prayers, a special munajat will be offered seeking divine blessings for peace, progress and prosperity of the country and welfare of the Muslim Ummah.
The prayers will be followed by sacrificing of animals in the name of Allah. This holy ritual teaches Muslims to sacrifice their precious things for the sake of Almighty Allah. The Muslims can get the opportunity to purify their souls removing the inner greed, gudge, hatred and other bad things. We hope that this religious festival will bring peace and happiness to all.
Commerce Ministry will have to maintain the supply chain in collection, preservation, transportation and sale of rawhides of sacrificial animals during Eid-ul-Azha. It will have to ensure rawhides’ proper marketing and take measure against smuggling of rawhides.
In this regard, authorities concerned must conduct mobile courts during the Eid to stop malpractices. Apart from these, we believe the authorities of capital Dhaka’s two city corporations, other metropolitan cities and district towns will remove the waste of sacrificial animal within 24 hours from the day of Eid-ul-Azha like previous year.
On the other hand, affluent people, businessmen and elite people the society have to stand by distressed people during the Eid. The spirit of sacrifice of Eid-ul-Azha is a unique example of showing respect and love to almighty Allah.
We all must follow the teachings and ideals of Eid-ul-Azha to build a peaceful and amiable society. We believe the solvent people will make sacrifices to bring smiles on the faces of the poor people.
Mass Exodus and Travel Pressure
Transport hubs such as Sadarghat launch terminal, Sayedabad, Gabtoli and Mohakhali bus terminals, Kamalapur and Airport railway stations witnessed overwhelming crowds on Wednesday. People bound for the Khulna and Barishal divisions were seen crossing the Padma River via the Paturia-Daulatdia ferry route, while others took advantage of the Padma Bridge to travel more swiftly and safely.
Thanks to the Padma Bridge, travellers from 21 southwestern districts can now cross the river in just six minutes, eliminating the suffering once associated with ferry terminals. This infrastructure has transformed the travel experience for millions. Still, many people faced severe traffic congestion inside Dhaka and on the highways leading out of the city. Roads connecting Dhaka to Chattogram, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Tangail, Joydebpur, Rangpur, and Khulna were overwhelmed with buses, cars, trucks, vans, and rickshaws.
In some cases, it took more than two hours just to access the highways from inside the capital due to the volume of traffic and poor road conditions. Many travelers have described the journey as "torturous," echoing the same complaints heard year after year.
Managing the Holiday Travel Chaos
To handle this situation, concerned ministries and agencies must act swiftly. Law enforcement should strictly enforce traffic laws, prevent overtaking, remove unfit vehicles from the roads, and ensure smooth operation at key intersections and transport terminals.
The Eid rush is expected to peak on Friday, the last working day for many private sector employees. An estimated 10 million people will leave Dhaka, while 50 million more will travel inter-district during the Eid holidays. In response, Bangladesh Railway, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), and the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) have introduced special trains, launches, and buses to accommodate the surge.
Security has been strengthened at transport terminals, and law enforcement personnel are being deployed to reduce congestion and maintain order. However, extortion, fare manipulation, and harassment remain persistent issues that authorities must eliminate with urgency.
Road Safety: A Grave Concern
Despite massive infrastructure development—including expanding highways, constructing bridges and flyovers, and launching new transport services—road safety remains a serious national issue. Reckless driving, poor traffic management, and lack of regulation enforcement have made many roads virtual death traps.
On Wednesday morning, four people were killed in a head-on collision in Bhanga upazila, Faridpur. Road crashes claim lives almost daily, and little has improved despite numerous awareness campaigns, seminars, and promises of reform.
The root causes include: Movement of unfit vehicles, Semiskilled or fatigued drivers, Extortion in the transport sector, Weak enforcement of existing laws, Poor BRTA capacity, These must be addressed if we are to prevent more families from losing loved ones in avoidable tragedies.
A Call to Action
The government must intensify its efforts to improve road safety. This includes: Upgrading highways to four or more lanes, Building flyovers, road dividers, and proper signage, Providing rest areas for long-distance drivers, Offering proper training and fair wages to drivers, Increasing the BRTA’s operational capacity, Running public awareness campaigns on traffic rules, Without urgent reforms, road disasters will continue to disproportionately affect the poor, robbing families of their breadwinners and pushing many into deeper hardship.
Rise in Criminal Activities
During Eid
As Eid approaches, there is a rise in disturbing phenomenon like criminal activities, including mugging, extortion, motorbike theft, and attacks by organized gangs like the "Malam Party" and "Agyan Party." These groups often use sedatives to rob unsuspecting victims. Meanwhile, currency counterfeiting gangs exploit the shopping frenzy, flooding markets with fake notes.
These criminal operations are thriving even in the presence of law enforcement. Markets, shopping areas, roads, and alleys in Dhaka and other major cities are no longer safe, especially after dusk. Traders and travelers report increasing harassment, particularly on major highways like Dhaka-Khulna, Dhaka-Tangail, and Dhaka-Aricha, where extortion by criminals and even law enforcement is reportedly rampant.
Authorities must act decisively to stop this lawlessness. Security forces need to step up patrols, establish check-posts, and ensure the safety of citizens during this festive time.
The Role of the Interim Government
Killings, rapes, robberies, and abductions have surged over the past nine months, creating widespread fear. People expect more from a government tasked with maintaining public safety during such a critical time.
The first and foremost priority of the government must be to restore discipline and peace across the nation. Integrated efforts are needed in the capital, district towns, upazilas, and remote villages to address the surge in crime and ensure a safe, peaceful Eid for all.
We remain hopeful that if all stakeholders—including the government, transport authorities, law enforcement, civil society, and the public—cooperate and act responsibly, this year's Eid journey can be made safe, smooth, and joyful. But without immediate action, the combination of unsafe roads, criminal activities, and poor traffic management could once again turn a joyous occasion into pain and loss for many families.
S. M. Mizanur Rahman. Deputy Editor, Bangladesh Post.
