Dhaka: Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of Muslims, will be celebrated across the country on August 22 as the new moon of the Arabic month of Zilhaj was sighted in Bangladesh sky on Sunday.

Religious Affairs Minister Motiur Rahman announced the decision after a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee held at Islamic Foundation’s Baitul Mukarram office in the evening.

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

On this day, some 4,000 years ago, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) had 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.