DHAKA, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Only days before Eid al-Adha, cattle traders in Bangladesh are bringing in nearly 13 million sacrificial animals to markets in the capital city of Dhaka and other parts of the country.
Bangladeshi Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Adha on June 17 with the spirit of sacrifice, marking one of major festivals in the South Asian nation.
Cattle markets, including the largest one at Gabtoli in Dhaka, were bustling on Monday with a variety of animals such as cows, goats, sheep, camels and buffaloes.
Authorities have sanctioned 16 cattle markets to facilitate the purchase of sacrificial animals for residents of Dhaka.
Vendors are busy grooming and adorning their animals to attract buyers, anticipating a surge in customers starting Thursday night, the last working day of the week.
Buyers in Dhaka typically acquire their animals in the final two days before Eid, hoping for discounted prices.
This year, authorities estimated a demand for 10.7 million sacrificial animals nationwide, while over 12.9 million animals are available for the ritual.
Bangladeshi Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdur Rahman told media recently that there will be no shortage of sacrificial animals during the upcoming Eid al-Adha.
Authorities are fully prepared to handle supply and management of sacrificial animals, with an expected supply of 12,980,367 animals this year, an increase of 444,034 from the previous year.
The minister said that like the previous year, the system of selling sacrificial animals online, introduced last year, will continue to alleviate challenges faced by both buyers and sellers.
State agencies are working diligently to ensure a smooth and well-prepared celebration of the festival, according to the minister.
Also, the Bangladeshi government has already declared a five-day holiday starting from Friday in observance of Eid al-Adha.
Millions of Bangladeshis traditionally return to their village homes to celebrate Eid al-Adha and enjoy family reunion.■
