The table is full of traditional Eid delicacies widr the air filled with aroma of spices. Guests arrive one by one after attending the Eid congregation. They embrace each other, exchange greetings and start savouring the delectable treats.
All this takes place at a place surrounded by a 16 feet high wall, guarded by armed squad.
This is no typical Eid gala, taking place at a Muslim house following the days of fasting. What is unique about this particular Eid party is that it is taking place behind bars.
Ramadan will bid farewell in a few days. Muslims are preparing for Eid-ul-Fitr celebration. Inmates of the Dhaka Central Jail will not be left out of the festivities.
Like every year prison authorities are making special arrangements for Eid celebration, which will add colour to die dreary days behind bars.
"It may not be a lavish fiesta but die arrangement will definitely make the dayjoyous for the prisoners," said DIG (Prisons) Maj Shamsul HaiderSiddiqui.
With only three days left for the biggest Muslim festival, the jail is being cleaned up and will be specially decorated for the day with festoons. Enthusiastic prisoners will take care of the cleaning, decoration, cooking and other important chores of the day
A hundred prisoners tasked with kitchen duty will start their day early preparing food for around 10,000 inmates including convicted and under trial prison -ers.
For others, the day will begin with early morning Eid congregation at the prison lawn. There is no in-house Imam at the jail. The inmates themselves will
conduct th c prayer.
Siddiqui said among the prisoners there is always someone with speci tl religious knowledge. "We have several ’hafiz' among the inmates. One of- them will conduct th e prayer."
Sweets are an integral part of Eid celebrations. Right after the Eid prayer ruti and semai (vermicelli) w: II be served. It will be quite ordinary at noon during launch wii h plain rice, fish, alur dum (potato curry) and fruits. The sumptuous feast will take place in the evening. Dinner will be served with mouth-watering pilau, beef curry'and salad.
Siddiqu i said per head cost for special dit t for convicted prisoners has been fixed at Tk 49. Under trail prisoi icrs will get food worth Tk 39. Around 170 VIP detainees wiU munc h on something little more expe nsive. Expense forVIPs
would beTk 89 perhead.
Situated at Nazimuddin Road in old town, Dhaka Central Jail is the largest among the 66 jails in Bangladesh. Originally built for around 3,000 detainees, the prison currently houses around 9, 647 inmates (as of last Thursday). The number changes almost every day.
Among the inmates, 9,058 are men and the rest 589 are women. The prison also houses 78 unfortunate children. They are not guilty of any crime but they have no other option but to live with their detained mothers in the jailhouse.
Eid celebration is nothing without new clothes. Male prisoners will itceive lungi, females will get sari while their children will get special outfits. Ministry of Social Welfare will contribute to this part of the celebration.
Prisoners often receive special donation from outside as well. This year prisoners will receive topi, prayer mattress and other outfits.
Another feature of the day is the family members and relatives of the inmates will be allowed to meet them. No matter what their crimes are, relatives of the inmates flock to the jailhouse on the Eid day to pass on good wishes to their loved ones. Heavy steel bars, however, will separate die inmates from the visitors.
Visitors are allowed to bring food items but it will only reach inside the jail after strict security screening. Visitors can stay from 9:00am to 4:30pm. VIP detainees however will not be as lucky as the ordinary prisoners. Their relatives have to go through tough legal procedures to obtain permission to enter the special jails.