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Bangladeshis rush to take a train back to their native villages ahead of `Eid. |
CAIRO — Every thing in Bangladesh is on the move as millions are racing against the clock to finish preparations for `Eid Al-Fitr, packing buses, trains and ferries to celebrate the good time with their relatives and loved ones at their native villages.
"Tickets are being sold at fair prices. We used to sell tickets at Tk 20 less as the demand was low before," Ticket clerks told Bangladeshi English-language The Daily Star, Monday, October 23.
The capital's railway stations and bus terminals are crammed with home going city-dwellers as most of them ended the last workday before the three-day `Eid holiday and headed out to celebrate the feast with their beloved ones.
Thousands overcrowded different ticket counters in the city. Passengers in long queues were awaiting their tickets.
In the black market, tickets for all destinations were in abundance but for much higher prices.
Commuters even traveled in overcrowded vessels on the rivers, putting their lives at risk.
Fifteen people died and 35 were missing Monday, October 23, after an overloaded ferry hit a goods boat near the Bangladeshi capital.
Bus and ferry accidents are common in Bangladesh due to poor safety standards and overloading, especially in the run-up to major festivals and holidays.
Thousands of ferries operate along Bangladesh's 230 rivers and waterways, transporting more than 100,000 people a day.
Bangladesh's 18-member National Moon Sighting Committee led by State Minister for Religious Affairs Mosharref Hossain Shahjahan sits Monday at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque to confirm the moon sighting.
If the crescent of the new hijri month of Shawwal is sighted, the `Eid will start then Tuesday, October 24, otherwise it will be celebrated on Wednesday.
Shopping Spree
While the city streets already started to look deserted due to the "`Eid exodus," usual rush in the shopping malls continued.
"I am very busy .. I cannot talk with you for a moment," Salim Mia, a shop salesman, who cannot cope with the `Eid shopping extravaganza, told The New Nation newspaper.
Muslims start the `Eid day with special prayers shortly after dawn, often in large open areas, and spend the `Eid visiting family and friends.
Traditionally, everyone wears new clothes for `Eid, one of the two most important Islamic celebrations together with `Eid Al-Adha.
Abid Ali, a salesman, said prices are higher this year compared to the previous year and number of customers in the shopping centers increased at the last moment.
"Number of customers were very little during the first and mid quarters of holy Ramadan but it increased during the last two quarters," he said.
Bangladesh is the world third-largest Muslim majority country with a population of some 148 million.
Muslims make up 83% of the population, Hindu 16%, other 1%, according to the CIA World Fact Book.
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