HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS IN BANGLADESH: MUSLIM, NATIONAL AND LOCAL ONES

HOLIDAYS IN BANGLADESH

Muslim holidays are observed nationally. Hindu celebrations are observed by some Muslims. Christian and Buddhist holidays are recognized by Muslims but generally celebrated by Buddhists and Christians only, who make up less than one percent of Bangladesh’s population.
In addition to large events and national celebrations there are many festivals and fairs taking place in small and remote villages featuring colorful events and activities.

There are many holidays and festivals celebrated annually in Bangladesh. While Bangladesh is an Islamic nation, there are also several secular holidays. Hindu and Islamic rituals are celebrated in villages and neighborhoods and are dependent on important family or local traditions. Celebrations take place at many local shrines and temples.

Several important festivals are celebrated by Bangladeshi Muslims during the year, dependent on the Islamic calendar. Ramadan, the ninth month of the calendar, is characterised by daytime fasting for 29 or 30 days and is followed by the festival of Id al-Fitr (Eid ul-Fitr). During the second main Muslim festival, Id al-Adha (Eid ul-Adha), an animal is sacrificed in remembrance of the actions of Abraham and the meat is shared with friends, family, and the less fortunate. Both id festivals are public holidays. In which people to visit family and friends and children to receive new clothes, presents, and sweets.

National Holidays
January 1st — New Year’s Day (Optional Holiday)
February 21st — National Mourning Day (Shaheel Day) (Public Holiday)
March 17 — Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birthday (Public Holiday, Children’s Day, Martyr’s Day)
March 26 — Independence Day ((Public Holiday) is the date of the Awami League's declaration of an independent Bangladesh
March or April — Bengali New Year (Public Holiday)
May 1 — Labor Day celebrates labor and workers with speeches and cultural events (Public Holiday)
August 15 — Day of Mourning (Public Holiday)
November 7 — Revolution Day (Public Holiday)
December 16 — Victory Day (Public Holiday) memorializes the military victory over Pakistan and the official creation of the state of Bangladesh
December 25 — Christmas Day (Public Holiday)
December 26 — Boxing Day (Optional Holiday)

Muslim Holidays in Bangladesh
Muharram (first month of the Islamic calendar, Islamic New Year)
Ashura (10th Day of Muharram) (Public Holiday)
Id e-Milladunnabi (Muhammad’s Birthday) (Public Holiday)
Shab-e-Quadr (when the Quran was revealed)
Shab-i-Bharat (Muslim version of "All Souls' Day")
Ramadan (Muslim month of fasting)
Jamat Wida (last Friday in the month of Ramadhan before Id-al-Fitr)
Id al-Fitr (Eid-ul-Fitr, celebration marking the end of Ramadan) (Public Holiday)
Id-al-Adha (Eid-ul-Azha, Feast of the Sacrifice of Abraham) (Public Holiday)
dates change each year according to the Muslim calendar

Bangladesh Holidays in 2021

Date — — Name — Type
January 1— New Year's Day (Optional Holiday)
January 10 — Bangabandhu Homecoming Day (Observed but a work day)
February 14 — Valentine's Day (Observed but a work day)
February 16 — Saraswati Puja (Optional, usually a work day)
February 17 — Ash (Optional, usually a work day)
February 21 — Language Martyrs' Day (Public Holiday, no work)
February 27 — Maghi Purnima (Optional, usually a work day)
[Source: timeanddate.com]

March 2 — National Flag Day (Observed but a work day)
March 11 — Maha Shivaratri (Optional, usually a work day)
March 11 — Shab-e-Meraj (Optional, usually a work day)
March 17 — Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birthday (Public Holiday, no work)
March 20 — March Equinox (Season)
March 26 — Independence Day (Public Holiday, no work)
March 28 — Doljatra (Optional, usually a work day)
March 29 — Holi (Hindu Holiday)
April 1 — Maundy (Optional, usually a work day)
April 2 — Good (Optional, usually a work day)
April 3 — Holy (Optional, usually a work day)
April 4 — Easter Day (Optional, usually a work day)
April 5 — Easter (Optional, usually a work day)
April 14 — Bengali New Year (Public Holiday, no work)

May 1 — May Day (Public Holiday, no work)
May 9 — Mothers' Day (Observed but a work day)
May 13 — Eid ul-Fitr (Public Holiday, no work)
May 14 — Eid ul-Fitr Holiday (Public Holiday, no work)
May 15 — Eid ul-Fitr Holiday (Public Holiday, no work)
May 16 — Eid ul-Fitr Holiday (Optional, usually a work day)
May 26 — Buddha Purnima/Vesak (National Holiday)
June 20 — Fathers' Day (Observed but a work day)
June 21 — June Solstice (Season)

July 1 — July 1 Bank Holiday (Bank Holiday, no work)
July 20 — Eid al-Adha (Public Holiday, no work)
July 21 — Eid al-Adha Day 2 (Public Holiday, no work)
July 22 — Eid al-Adha Day 3 (Public Holiday, no work)
July 23 — Eid al-Adha Day 4 (Optional, usually a work day)
July 24 — Ashari Purnima (Optional, usually a work day)
August 15 — National Mourning Day (Public Holiday, no work)
August 19 — Ashura (Tentative Date)(Public Holiday, no work)
August 22 — Raksha Bandhan (Hindu Holiday)
August 30 — Janmashtami (Public Holiday, no work)
September 10 Sep — Ganesh Chaturthi (Hindu Holiday)
September 23 Sep — September Equinox (Season)

October 3 — Akhari Chahar Somba (Optional, usually a work day)
October 7 — First Day of Navaratri (Hindu Holiday)
October 15 — Durga Puja (Public Holiday, no work)
October 19 — Eid e-Milad-un Nabi (Public Holiday, no work)
October 20 — Prabarana Purnima (Optional, usually a work day)
October 31 — Halloween (Observed but a work day)
November 4 — Lakshmi Puja (Optional, usually a work day)
November 4 — Sri Shayama Puja (Optional, usually a work day)
November 17 — Fateha-i-Yajdaham (Optional, usually a work day)
December 16 — Victory Day (Public Holiday, no work)
December 21 — December Solstice (Season)
December 24 — Christmas Eve (Optional, usually a work day)
December 25 — Christmas Day (Public Holiday, no work)
December 26 — Boxing Day (Optional Holiday)
December 31 — New Year's Eve (Bank Holiday, no work)

Secular Celebrations in Bangladesh

February 21 — Language Martyr’s Day pays tribute to people who lost their lives in Language Movement of 1952. The tributes begin at midnight when on hundreds of thousands of people gather to participate in barefoot processions, sing songs and place floral wreaths at the monuments of martyrs. Also called Ekushee, National Mourning Day, Shaheed Dibash and the National Day of Martyrs, it is also marked with political speeches and a memorial service at the Shaheed Minar (Martyr's Monument) in Dhaka.

March 26 — Independence Day is the biggest state holiday, marking the day when Bangladesh declared itself separate from Pakistan. Known in Bangla as Shadheenata Dibash, it begins with booming of guns in the morning and features military parades and political speeches. Other events include the laying of wreathes at monuments in Dhaka, amusing boat races on the Buriganga River in Dhaka, and club-sponsored cultural events. Main buildings are illuminated at night.

May 7th — Rabindranath Tagore's Birthday is celebrated large gatherings and song sessions. Tagore is the famous Nobel Prize winning Bengali poet, who wrote the country's national anthem.

May 25th — Kazi Nazrul Islam's Birthday is celebrated large gatherings and song sessions. Nazrul is the national poet of Bangladesh, famous for his fiery words.

December 16 — Victory Day (Bijoy Dibosh) commemorates the day in 1971 when Pakistani forces surrendered to a joint Bangladeshi — Indian force. Cultural and political events are held.

Bengali New Year and UNESCO- Recognized Mangal Shobhajatra

Usually around Mid April — Pahela Baishakh (Poila Boishakh, Bengali New Year) is celebrated throughout the country with colorful day-long gatherings. Tournaments and boat races and other festivities are held in Dhaka. Bengali New Year is celebrated on the first day of the month of Boishakh (generally in April). Poetry readings and musical events take place.

Mangal Shobhajatra on Pahela Baishakh was inscribed in 2016 on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. According to UNESCO: Mangal Shobhajatra is a festival organized by students and teachers of Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Art in Bangladesh open to the public to celebrate Pahela Baishakh (New Year’s Day). Taking place on April 14, the tradition of Mangal Shobhajatra began in 1989 when students, frustrated with having to live under military rule, wanted to bring people in the community hope for a better future. [Source: UNESCO]

Members of the university faculty work together a month before the festival to create masks (said to drive away evil forces and allow for progress) and floats. Among works made for the festival at least one will represent evil, another courage and strength and a third, peace. Items to sell on the day are also produced as a source of funding, such as paintings on Bangladesh folk heritage. The Mangal Shobhajatra festival symbolizes the pride the people of Bangladesh have in their folk heritage, as well as their strength and courage to fight against sinister forces, and their vindication of truth and justice. It also represents solidarity and a shared value for democracy, uniting people irrespective of caste, creed, religion, gender or age. Knowledge and skills are transmitted by students and teachers within the community.

Traditional Bengali Harvest Festival

In an article on village festivals life in the 1950s, Kamran Nahar wrote: “Once, Nobanno was a joyous festival in Bengali month ‘agrahayan’ in autumn. In this month, the first harvest of paddy-crop assured the supply of main food ‘rice’ for the whole year for those people, fully dependent on agriculture. So, they used to celebrate this new harvest by cooking a sweet food named Khir, mixed of new rice, milk, molasses, and spices. Before taking this food, it was prohibited to start eating new rice, which was considered as an inauspicious doing. [Source: “Bangladesh Culture: A Study of the South Para of Village ‘Silimpur’” by Kamrun Nahar, September 2, 2006]

“Now-a-days, harvest seasons are no more limited only to two months and have increased its frequency in 3 to 4 times with the invention of new type of rice named ‘Iri’. This is why, people don’t care for this festival of their ancestors strictly. Bhadro masher tera was a very popular ceremony among the villagers. A newly married girl shifted from his husband’s house to the father’s for 13 days from 1st to 13th Bhadro of Bengali month in autumn. Then her father gave Sari to his daughter and guernsey, lungi, gamchha (a napkin), shirt, pant etc. to his son-in-law. A basket full of 13 kinds of fruits and other foods, such as milk, meat fish, payesh, pithas (cakes) etc. were sent from her father’s house to the father-in-law’s. Also, her husband, along with his close relatives, was invited for a feast. Now this is going to be abolished because of the rarity of locally available fruits and degrading economic condition of people. [Source: “Bangladesh Culture: A Study of the South Para of Village ‘Silimpur’” by Kamrun Nahar, September 2, 2006]

Islamic Holidays and Festivals in Bangladesh

The two major religious festivals celebrated by the Muslim Bangladeshis are Id al-Fitr (also spelled Eid al-Fitr), which celebrates the end of Ramadan, and Id-al-Adha the feast of sacrifice. The date of the celebrations changes depending on the Islamic calendar. Ramadan, the ninth month of the calendar, is characterised by daytime fasting for 29 or 30 days and is followed by the festival of Eid ul-Fitr. During a second festival, Eid ul-Adha, an animal is sacrificed in remembrance of the actions of Abraham and the meat is shared with friends, family, and the less fortunate. Both Eid festivals are public holidays. In which people to visit family and friends and children to receive new clothes, presents, and sweets. Some Muslims celebrate Id e-Milladunnabi (Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi), the birthday of the prophet Muhammad, in the third month of the calendar (Rabi' al-Awwal).

Thursday is the last day of the six-day work week. On Friday men go to the mosque for congregational prayers. In Bangladesh it is not customary for women to attend Friday prayers, though there is no Islamic legal injunction prohibiting their participation. [Source: “Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices”, Thomson Gale, 2006]

In an article on Bangladeshi village life, Kamran Nahar wrote: “The inhabitants give importance to religious festivals the way their forefathers did and are transmitting those beliefs into the new generation through socialization. In Muharram and Shab-I-Meraj, they arrange for an Islamic gathering named ‘Milad’, led by the religious teacher called mawlana. He delivers speech about the ideal life of Hazrat Mummad (sm.) and recites verses from the Quran and others listen silently sitting on the ground before him. At the end, he, with all the present, prays to God for the wellbeing of all. Then they distribute among the participators a special dish ‘jhal polao’, a mixer of rice and beef, which some men prepare in the day, but all bear and share the expense of it thinking that it is purely a divine task. [Source: “Bangladesh Culture: A Study of the South Para of Village ‘Silimpur’” by Kamrun Nahar, September 2, 2006]

Sufi Festivals in Bangladesh

Sufi festivals known as “urs” are held annually to mark the anniversaries of a saints’ deaths and their “marriage” to God. They attract thousands of pilgrims from both sexes and have accompanying meals. Pilgrims arrive in specials buses, trains and trucks. There is a singing and dancing. Food and entertainment is offered at the accompanying fairs (“mela”). The fairs are open to anyone, regardless of their beliefs, and many of those in attendance normally don't set foot in a mosque.

Some festivals are attended almost exclusively by men. They are generally held at mosques, shrines or special constructed open-air enclosures usually outside or on the outskirts of a city. Melas (festivals or fairs) feature singing, dancing, music and partying, drumming, circuses, pilgrimages, handicraft stalls in addition to various other activities reflecting local culture and customs. They often honor Sufi saints. Sometimes there are Sufis in trances, doing dances. There are many melas held throughout the year.

According to the “Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices”: “One of the largest 'urs celebrations takes place at Maijbandar near the city of Chittagong. Another major annual event in Bangladesh is the Tablighi Jama'at gathering in Tungi. It is considered one of the largest gatherings of people in the world. The event is a time for spiritual renewal and an opportunity to organize mosque tours. The Tablighi Jama'at is a pietistic movement of the early 1900s founded by the Indian Muslim Muhammad Ilyas Shah (d. 1944), who wanted to revive and reform religious observance among Muslims. As the organization expanded, their mission came to include conversion. Participants devote time to traveling from community to community to inspire others to strict observance of ritual life. [Source: “Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices”, Thomson Gale, 2006]

Ramadan

Ramadan is the Muslim month-long fast. It is observed during the ninth month of the Muslim year. According to Islamic custom, every able bodied person — excluding young children, pregnant women and the elderly — are required to not eat of drink anything, even water, not smoke or have sex during the daylight hours of the fast. Food can be eaten before the first signs of dawn and after sunset. Often big meals with special foods and breads are prepared in the evening and sometimes social gatherings go on all night.

Ramadan is a period of obligatory fasting in commemoration of Muhammad's receipt of God's revelation. During the month all but the sick, the weak, pregnant or lactating women, soldiers on duty, travelers on necessary journeys, and young children are expected to join the fast. The wealthy usually do little or no work during this period, and some businesses close for all or part of the day. Since the months of the lunar calendar revolve through the solar year, Ramadan falls at various seasons in different years. Summertime fasting imposes considerable hardship on those who must do physical work. [Source: James Heitzman and Robert Worden, Library of Congress, 1989 *]

No food or drink is sold during the day except in the dining rooms at selected hotels. Out of courtesy to Bangladeshi Muslims non-Muslims should not eat, drink or smoke in front of them. Travel is difficult. Several days before the end of Ramadan, Muslims begin preparations for a festival that marks the end of the fast and thank the Almighty for his blessing during the year. At no time of the year is the spirit of the people as jubilant as during this time. Crowds flock to bazaars as they rush to purchase new clothes, jewelry, fruits, meat and sweets..

Ramadan is also a time when Muslims thank Allah for his blessings during the past year. An additional requirement during Ramadan is that all Muslims must help the less fortunate with both cash and food gifts. No food or drinks, including water, may be consumed. Most restaurants and food shops are closed during daylight hours. Breakfast must be finished before the sun rises, and the evening meal is eaten after the sun goes down. Children under the age of 12 are encouraged, but generally not expected, to fast. [Source: Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of Foods and Recipes of the World, The Gale Group, Inc., 2002; Countries and Their Cultures, Gale Group Inc., 2001

Ramadan in Bangladesh

According to Bangladesh.com: “Bangladeshi towns and villages come alive with lights and decorations on the street, in shops and in the market place as Ramadan is the one of the most celebrated Bangladesh festival of the year in which masses of people participate. The recitation of the Holy Quran (Koran) by means of Tarabih prayers is taken very seriously by the Muslim community – as is the distribution of the Holy Quran (Koran). Muslims take the opportunity during the Ramadan festival to hand out gifts such as books and gifts in an effort to spread the “light”. The message of this time of peace and serenity is taken to the streets and spoken to anyone who will listen. [Source: Bangladesh.com]

“Special dishes are prepared during the Fasting of Ramadan, such as “Jilapi” which is a sweet, “Piazu” which is made from onions and “Beguni”, which is a brinjal dish. The importance and dedication to the festival of Ramadan is confirmed by the fact that many parents name their children ‘Ramzan’, in honor of this religious festival.

“Committees and communities also use Ramadan as an opportunity to unite people from various economic backgrounds and build bonds between them. By hosting forums, discussions and talks, everyone is invited to participate in the festival and its meaning. Those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds are assisted financially so that they too are able to be a part of the celebrations. Ramadan is a festival of giving, taking care of others and educating the community about the Islamic religion. It is a warm and inviting festival that Muslims in Bangladesh anticipate with great excitement each year.”

Iftar Foods in Bangladesh

During Ramadan, Muslims rise before dawn to eat a meal called suhur. Dates are often eaten because this was a food that Muhammad ate. Foods containing grains and seeds, along with bananas, are commonly eaten because they are considered slow to digest and help ease hunger during the fast. Iftar is the evening meal with which Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset. The fast has been traditionally broken with eating a date. After that, water, fruit juice, or lassi, and snacks such as samosas (meat or vegetable-filled pastries) are eaten, followed by dinner. Dinner may include biriyani. If a family can afford it, dinner is shared with those less fortunate. [Source: Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of Foods and Recipes of the World, The Gale Group, Inc., 2002]

Zurana Masud wrote in Zuranaz Recipe: “People like to have iftar at home with all family members and iftar parties are also arranged by mosques. Iftar is taken right after Maghrib time, which is after sunset. Muslims believe that feeding someone at iftar as a form of charity is very rewarding and that such was practised by the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam). [Source: Zurana Masud, Zuranaz Recipe, March 23, 2017]

“In Bangladesh, a wide variety of foods items is prepared to take during Iftar. Some of the common iftar items from Bangladeshi cuisine include Shorbot (Lemonade, Milk Shake, Smoothie, Juice, Rooh Afza, Lachhi), Piyajoo, Beguni, Chhanar Jolapi, Jilapi, Bundia, Cabbage Pakora, Cauliflower Pakora, Egg chops, Potato Chop, Chicken Chops, Chicken roll, Chicken Nugget, Chicken wings, Chicken Fry, French Toast, Spring roll, Vegetable cutlet, Vegetable Pakora, Ghugni, Meat Kabab, Muri, Halim, dates, samosas, Dal Puri, Chola, fish kabab, mughlai paratha, pitha, Doi Bora, Doi chira, Tok Doi (Plain Yogurt), Misty Doi (Sweet Yogurt), Patishapta pitha, Falooda, Kalozam Sweets, Rosh malai, Sponge Rosogolla, traditional Bengali sweets and different types of fruits and Fruit Juices such as watermelon, papaya, mango, pineapple.

“In different cities of Bangladesh, it is a common scenario that traders are busy to prepare traditional iftar items in front of different markets, mosques, and intersections. They sell iftar items in front of their shops by putting a table. There are some famous places in Dhaka city having diversity of traditional Iftar. Chawkbazar is the biggest Iftar market of Dhaka. It has been offering iftar to the Dhaka dwellers for over 400 years. The tradition and reputation of Chawkbazar’s ifter items are well known to the city dwellers and has turned into an iftar focal point for the Dhaka residents. People from different parts of the city come here to buy special iftar menu. some of these iftar items are originated in the Mughal era such as mutton and chicken roast, Kacchi Biriyani, shuti kabab, Shami Kabab, Boti Kabab, Reshmi Kabab, Sheek Kabab, shahi doi bora, mutton and chicken cutlet, kima roll, kima parata, doi bora, borhani, mattha etc. ‘Boro Baper Polay Khay’, five-foot long shik kabab and giant shahi jilapi are some popular and special iftar item of Chawkbazar. Nandoos, KFC and Pizza Hut offer special menu and price on Iftar during Ramadan. Most of the renown restaurant of the town arrange special iftar to the customer. All buffet restaurant offer special dinner following Iftar.

“Most of the families of Bangladesh prepare the traditional iftar dishes by their own in kitchen according to their family member’s choice. This culture of iftar item preparation is varying from region to region of the country. But the common dishes are ghugni, piyaju, Potato chop, chola fry, jilapy, vegetable pakora, sweets and different type shorbot/ drinks or juice. Iftar items are shared as gift among the neighbor during the Ramadan by most of the families. This culture brings them closer and makes strong bonding between them.

Id al Fitr (Eid-ul-Fitr)

Id al Fitr (Eid-ul-Fitr), a feast celebrated throughout the Islamic world, marks the end of the month of fasting. Gifts, the wearing of new garments, exchanges of sweetmeats, almsgiving, and visits to friends and relatives are some of the customs of this religious festival. Id al Fitr is the biggest Muslim festival of the year. It is held the day after the Ramadan fast ends.

Id al Fitr lasts for two days. A sane person in Mecca must spot the moon on the 29th day of the Muslim month or else the celebrations are postponed for a day. During the morning of the feast Muslim households are astir with excitement before sunrise. People put on their best clothing and eat a special breakfast called semai which includes a sweet dish made from ultra thin vermicelli cooked in milk with dried dates, raisins, almonds and nuts. After ablutions are performed and a special perfume is applied Muslims attend prayers at a mosque or a special park. An important duty of all wealthy Muslims on this feast is give money to the poor. The money is given before prayers to enable the poor to also enjoy the festival. Customary holiday greeting are exchanged and children receive gifts from their elders, mostly cash, which they spend at the zoo, circus or amusement park. Shops are closed during Eid-ul-Fitr

Id starts with an elaborate breakfast; then Muslims go to a mosque or special park for prayer. The special breakfast of semai, the sweet dish made with vermicelli cooked in milk with dried dates, raisins, almonds, and other nuts. Family and friends visit and eat festive meals throughout the day. Families use their best dishes, and bowls of fruit are set out on the table. Common foods including meat curry and “khichuri”, made from rice and lentils. Id al Fitr and Id-al-Adha often feature polao (rice and beef), kurma ( meat or vegetables cooked with yogurt or cream), beef and vermicelli. Many of the iftar food mentioned above are also eaten. Meats such as mutton, lamb and fish are eaten along with rice, chapatis, and desserts. [Source: Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of Foods and Recipes of the World, The Gale Group, Inc., 2002; [Source: Countries and Their Cultures, Gale Group Inc., 2001]

Eid-ul-Azhar (Feast of the Sacrifice)

Id-al-Adha (Eid-ul-Azha, Feast of the Sacrifice of Abraham) is the second biggest Muslim festival of the year. It is held at the same time as the last day of Hajj pilgrimage on the tenth day of last month of the Muslim year (10 Dhul-Hijja). Over 4000 years ago on this day, Muslims believe, the prophet Abraham had a vision in which God told him to sacrifice his son Ismael. Abraham took his son to a hill in Palestine (the site of the present-day Temple of the Rock in Jerusalem) as God told him to do, and just as Abraham was about to sink the knife into his son's chest, God appeared and told Abraham that he was only testing his faith, and for Abraham to sacrifice a sheep instead. Muslims who can afford it are required to sacrifice a bakri (goat), sheep, camel, cow or any other four-legged animal in memory of the great sacrifice and Abraham's submission to the will of God.

Id-al-Adha (also known as Bakr-Id, Eid ul Adha) lasts for three or four days. One the first day the animal is sacrificed, usually by slitting its throat, after special prayers are said. The meat of the animal is divided into three parts. The first part is given to the poor, the second to relatives and friends, and the third is cooked at home of the person who sacrificed the animal. A variety of functions take place on these three days, usually in accordance wit local customs and traditions. At some places, the occasion is celebrated in the form of reunions. At others, people go to the shrines of holy men for prayers and alms giving.

Id-al-Adha remembers the prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son when God ordered him to. According to the BBC: “God appeared in a dream to Ibrahim and told him to sacrifice his son Isma'il. Ibrahim and Isma'il set off to Mina for the sacrifice. As they went, the devil attempted to persuade Ibrahim to disobey God and not to sacrifice his beloved son. But Ibrahim stayed true to God, and drove the devil away.As Ibrahim prepared to kill his son God stopped him and gave him a sheep to sacrifice instead. Ibrahim's complete obedience to the will of God is celebrated by Muslims each year. Each Muslim, as they celebrate, reminds themselves of their own submission to God, and their own willingness to sacrifice anything to God's wishes. [Source: BBC, September 7, 2009 |::|]

The animal is sacrificed usually by slitting its throat, after special prayers are said. Men usually do the killing and butchering and women hose blood and guts. Sometimes children blow up the lungs like balloons. A variety of functions take place on these three days, usually in accordance with local customs and traditions. At some places, the occasion is celebrated in the form of reunions. At others, people go to the shrines of holy men for prayers and alms giving. People dress in nice clothes and greet each other: “Eid Mubarak (“An Auspicious id to you”). Id al Fitr and Id-al-Adha often feature polao (rice and beef), kurma ( meat or vegetables cooked with yogurt or cream), beef and vermicelli. Many of the iftar food mentioned above are also eaten. Meats such as mutton, lamb and fish are eaten along with rice, chapatis, and desserts.

Muhammad's Birthday and Ascension to Heaven

Eid-e-Milladunnabi celebrates the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, whose was born and died on the same day. Special food is served at orphanages, hospitals and jails. At night important public buildings are illuminated and Milad Mahfils are held.

Eid-e-Milladunnabi (Eid-Miladun-Nabi, Eid-I-Milad-un-Nabi, Prophet Muhammad's Birthday) is celebrated on the 12th day of Rabīʿ al-ʾAwwal, the third month of the Muslim Calendar. Public gatherings take place in large towns and cities, and processions of Muslim devotees pass through the streets chanting verses in praise of the holy Prophet. On this day and throughout the month there are special gatherings in mosques and Muslim homes where the story of the birth and the mission of the Prophet is recited at functions. Houses and mosques are decorated with colorful strings of paper pennants and printed verses in praise of the Prophet. [Source: Countries and Their Cultures, Gale Group Inc., 2001]

Shab-i-Meraz (the twenty-seventh day of Rajab, the 7th Islamic month ), which commemorates the night when Muhammad ascended to heaven. Islamic holidays are publicly celebrated in afternoon prayers at mosques and outdoor open areas, where many men assemble and move through their prayers in unison. [Source: “Countries and Their Cultures”, The Gale Group Inc., 2001]

Shab-i-Barat

Shab-i-Barat (the fourteenth or fifteenth day of Shaban, the 8th Islamic month) is when Allah records an individual's future for the rest of the year. It has traditionally been a nighttime religious festival, sort of like a Muslim version of "All Souls' Day" when the dead are remembered. On this day it is believed that the lives and fortunes of mankind are registered in heaven for the coming year. Mosques are illuminated and a special type of pudding called halua and unleavened bread are distributed among the poor and sent to the neighborhood mosques. Children indulge in fireworks and hawla dishes are decorated with silver and gold leaves and sent to relatives and neighbors. Later family members gather together and read the Quran and recite prayers into the night. On this occasion some people visit cemeteries and place flowers and lights on the graves of the dead. [Source: Countries and Their Cultures, Gale Group Inc., 2001]

Shab-I-Barat celebrates the night journey and ascent of the Prophet Muhammad, and the revelation of Salat. According to the BBC: “The festival is celebrated by telling the story of how the Prophet Muhammad was visited by two archangels while he was asleep, who purified his heart and filled him with knowledge and faith. The Prophet travelled from Mecca to Jerusalem in a single night on a strange winged creature called Buraq. From Jerusalem he ascended into heaven, where he met the earlier prophets, and eventually God .During his time in heaven Muhammad was told of the duty of Muslims to recite Salat (ritual prayer) five times a day. [Source: BBC, September 7, 2009]

Women cook bread of corn and halua (a kind of porridge), which they distribute among their relatives in the day and pray the whole night to Allah. According to Countries and Their Cultures: “ Shab-I-Barat is also celebrated as a remembrance day of deceased family and friends. Special illumination of the mosques takes place and food is distributed among the poor. It is also a time when children participate in fireworks. After distribution of the food the Qur'an is read and prayers are said; then most Muslims visit cemeteries and put flowers and lights on the graves of deceased family and friends. [Source: Countries and Their Cultures, Gale Group Inc., 2001]

Biswa Itjema: World's Second-Largest Muslim Gathering

The Biswa Itjema is the second largest annual gathering of Muslims after the hajj in Mecca. It held in Tongi, about 10 kilometers from Dhaka’s international airport. More than two million Muslims from over 130 countries attend the Biswa Ijtema each year [Source: Mahmud Hossain Opu, Al Jazeera, , January 25, 2018]

The highlight of the Biswa Ijtema ("world congregation") is a mass, collective prayer on the banks of the Turag River, about 35 kilometers north of central Dhaka. Over the three-day gathering, Muslim worshippers listened to scholars reciting and explaining verses from the Quran. It is viewed as an opportunity for Muslims to renew their commitment to Islamic values.

Biswa Ijtema was first held in 1967. It is organised by Tablighi Jamaat, a Sunni Muslim missionary movement that began in India and whose members volunteer to spread the Islamic faith. It has been held in two phases since 2011 to accommodate the large number of attendees. The final prayer in 2018 was given in Bengali, Bangladesh's official language, for the first time since 1980.

Scenes at the gathering include crowds attending Friday prayers on the street near the congregation grounds; devotees carry their belongings on the roofs of trains and buses and overcrowded boats to the event. Mohammad Anis Hossain, who cooks five meals a day for the congregants, told Al Jazeera, . "I am lucky that I get a chance to serve my brothers with good food." Ibrahim Yasin said: "I am a teacher in [a] madrasah [school] and I cook every year at Bishwa Ijtema for my brothers,"

People perform wudu (ablution) en mass before communal prayers. The gathering is considered to be a demonstration of Muslim unity, solidarity, mutual love and respect. The main gathering place in an area covering about half a square kilometer.

Three Million Muslims Pray for Peace at the Biswa Itjema in 2007

It is estimated that 3 million Muslims attended the Biswa Itjema in Tongi in 2007. Associated Press reported: “Some 3 million Muslim devotees raised their hands in prayer seeking global peace and harmony at one of the world's biggest mass religious congregations, police and organizers said. The final prayer capped a three-day Islamic gathering on the sandy banks of the River Turag. The gathering shuns politics and focuses on reviving the tenets of Islam and promoting peace and harmony. Participants discuss the Quran, Islam's holy book, pray, and listen to sermons by Islamic scholars from around the world. [Source: Associated Press, February 4, 2007]

“Many of the pilgrims were on boats or on the rooftops of nearby buildings as the crowd overflowed the designated venue.“We estimate at least 3 million people are at the prayer. There were about 2.5 million devotees at the final prayer last year," local police official Kaium Biswas told The Associated Press. President Iajuddin Ahmed, the country's interim leader Fakhruddin Ahmed and two former Prime Ministers, Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, joined the prayer on the final day of the gathering.

“Many devotees from the capital left work early to join the prayer. Sunday is normally a working day in this mostly Muslim country. Extra buses and trains were set to ferry devotees to the prayer site, the organizers said in a statement. “It's a great feeling. I feel proud that I'm among millions of people seeking divine blessings for peace in the world," said Abdul Malek, who closed his convenience store in Dhaka to join the festival.

“Female devotees are not usually allowed to attend, but hundreds of women gathered in nearby villages to take part in the event. About 20,000 security officials, including troops, have been deployed to the area of the gathering to prevent any violence, said police official Biswas, following months of often violent protests to push for electoral reform.

“Abdur Rahim, a spokesman for Tablig Jamaat, an organization of Islamic preachers that sponsored the event, has said several thousands of the worshippers were from outside Bangladesh. Volunteers set up tents and troops installed seven temporary bridges over the river. Security officials watched entry points from watchtowers, and used metal detectors to search for weapons. More than 50 security cameras were installed. Makeshift police camps were set up along the main road toward the Ijtema venue from Dhaka.

Celebrations of Religious Minorities

Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians in Bangladesh also celebrate their own festivals and holidays such as Christmas, New Years, Buddha’s Birthday, Hindu Festival of Lights and Festival of Color.

May — Buddha Purnima (Vesa, Buddha's birthday) is celebrated with lantern festivals at Buddhist temples. Buddhist pilgrims who gather at the Raj Rana Bihar temple in Rangamati of the Kathin Chibor Dan festival light candles, attach banknotes to the "money tree," share food, and sing and dance in colorful clothes. Traditionally as many as 150,000 Buddhist take part in the festival, joined by around 50,000 Muslims and Hindus. One of the Muslim participants told Reuter he attended the festival because both Buddha and Muhammad preached love and equality among people.

Christmas is known as "Bara Din" (Big Day) in Bangladesh. It is celebrated with day-long gatherings at churches and the decorating of Christmas trees and other festivities. Christmas, Good Friday and Easter are observed by Bangladeshi Christians.

Hindu Celebrations and Festivals in Bangladesh

Bangladeshi Hindus celebrated the same holidays as their brethren in India and Nepal. Their two most special festivals are Diwali (Festival of Lights) and Holi (Festival of Colors).The Festival of Lights is held with relatively big fanfare in some Hindu areas. Langalbandh is huge Hindu festival in Sonargon (17 miles from Dhaka) celebrated by devotees with a ritual bath in the river during Chaitra (the last Bengali month) usually in March. Janmasthami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna.

According to “Countries and Their Cultures”: “Brahman priests perform rituals for the Hindu community during the major festivals when offerings are made but also in daily acts of worship. They are respected, but Hinduism does not have the codified hierarchical structure of Islam. Thus, a Brahman priest may not have a position of leadership outside his religious duties. Hindu and Islamic rituals are celebrated in villages and neighborhoods and are dependent on important family or local traditions. Celebrations take place at many local shrines and temples. [Source: “Countries and Their Cultures”, The Gale Group Inc., 2001]

“Among the most important Hindu celebrations are Saraswati Puja (February), dedicated to the deity Saraswati, who takes the form of a swan. She is the patron of learning, and propitiating her is important for students. Durga Puja (October) pays homage to the female warrior goddess Durga, who has ten arms, carries a sword, and rides a lion. After a nine-day festival, images of Durga and her associates are placed in a procession and set into a river. Kali Puja (November) is also called the Festival of Lights and honors Kali, a female deity who has the power to give and take away life. Candles are lit in and around homes.

Durga Puja is the largest Hindu festival of the year. The last three days of this ten festival are celebrated with immersing of an idol in the Buriganag River in Dhaka. Large celebrations are held at the Dhakeswari Temple and Ramkrishna Mission.

According to the “Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices”: “Durga Puja celebrates a time when the goddess Durga rode her lion and slew a buffalo demon. Pandals, temporary shelters for the goddess (who arrives on the sixth night), are ritually installed by a priest. During the seventh through the tenth day Hindus visit a pandal to see the goddess. On the final day of the festival, an image of the deity is thrown into the Buriganga River. The celebration of Durga Puja is not nearly as grand an affair as it once was (or as the one held at the same time in Kolkata, India). There is growing fear among Bangladeshi Hindus that the celebration invites persecution from Muslim fundamentalists. [Source: “Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices”, Thomson Gale, 2006]

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources: New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Lonely Planet Guides, Library of Congress, Bangladesh Tourism Board, Bangladesh National Portal (www.bangladesh.gov.bd), The Guardian, National Geographic, Smithsonian magazine, The New Yorker, Time, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Wikipedia and various books, websites and other publications.

Last updated February 2022