Md Rezaul Karim Bhuiyan 

This year's Eid-ul-Azha in Bangladesh feels different. It's a time for our faith, of course, but it also comes as our nation hopes for a fresh start. Think back to last year: a goat costing a shocking 15 lakh taka showed how unequal things were. This sparked young people to stand up and demand change. So, this Eid isn't just about remembering Prophet Ibrahim's sacrifice; it quietly marks Bangladesh's journey towards a more democratic future.

The Turning Point of 2024 : 

* The Price of Inequality: That super expensive goat became a symbol of how unfair the economy was.

* Students Lead the Way: Young people peacefully protested against unfair education, a lack of free speech, and this grew into a big movement.

* A Shift in Power: The old government fell because of the people's demands – a big step for democracy. Sadly, UN reports say over 1,400 people died (including many children), and thousands more were hurt.

Dr. Yunus's Promise: A Fresh Start : 

Nobel Prize winner Dr. Muhammad Yunus is now leading an interim government. They've promised to fix things:

* Government that's honest and answers to the people.

* Fair laws and justice for all.

* Ways for everyone to benefit from the economy.

* A clear, online system for voting.

Eid 2025: More Than Just Sacrifice

This Eid is about more than just sacrificing animals. It's about saying goodbye to the bad things in our society: old superstitions, rule by one person, and corruption. We need to give up our own greed, arrogance, and taking advantage of others – the bad parts within us.

Our Dream for Bangladesh -What We Had :

[ ] Years of one-person rule

[ ] A culture where no one culprit is punished

[ ] Rich getting richer, poor poorer

[ ] Voting lists that weren't honest

[ ] Not being able to speak freely

What We Hope For :

[ ] Democracy where people have power

[ ] Courts that are fair and free

[ ] Everyone benefits and grows

[ ] Clear, online voting system

[ ] Protecting our rights to speak

The overpriced goat symbolized deep-rooted economic injustice.

• Students Ignite Change: Peaceful protests against inequality, authoritarian education policies, and stifled free speech erupted into mass uprising.
• Political Shift: Public pressure toppled the former regime—a milestone for democracy. As per UN reports, 1,400+ lives were lost (12-13% children), with thousands injured or permanently disabled.

Interim Government: Led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the interim government commits to:

✓ Corruption-free, accountable governance

✓ Rule of law and justice

✓ Inclusive economic growth

✓ Transparent digital voter registration

What Sacrifice Really Means

Qurbani teaches us to give up:

* Personally: Our pride and selfishness.

* As a society: Inequality and hate.

* As a nation: Corruption and unfair leadership.

Eid Message:

"Let's make sure the sacrifice of those who fought for change wasn't for nothing. May this Eid help us end the old, unfair systems that took away people's rights for so long."

The Heart of Eid: Faith and Starting Over

Eid-ul-Azha reminds us of Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail, who were willing to follow Allah SWT 'S will (Quran 37:102-107). It teaches us that we can become better through sacrifice.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

"On Eid, Allah loves nothing more than the blood that is shed [through sacrifice]" (Tirmidhi).

Eid in Bangladesh: More Than One Meaning

* Thinking about our faith: Praying and trying to be better people.

* Coming together: Celebrating with family and friends.

* Helping the economy: The buying and selling of animals (over 10 million each year) and the leather industry rely on it.

Our Responsibility: Kindness Matters Most

* Let's make sure the animals don't suffer.

* Let's clean up waste in a way that's good for the environment.

* Let's focus on being kind, not just the ritual itself.

As the Quran says (Al-Hajj 22:37):

"It's not the meat or blood [of your sacrifice] that reaches Allah, but your devotion."

In Conclusion

May the memory of that expensive goat now inspire fairness. With Dr. Mohammed Yunus leading the way, let this Eid be our promise to get rid of injustice, lies, and chaos. Together, we can build a Bangladesh where:

* No child goes hungry.

* No young person is afraid to speak up.

* No older person is left without care.

Hoping for this kind and fair society – Eid Mubarak!

The writer is an s Asociate Professor,Dhaka Imperial College