MARKING the end of Ramadan, the month of self-restraint and abstinence, Muslims will break fast, pray and join the festivities of Eidul Fitr, on the first day of the lunar month of Shawal. Muslims of Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world will observe this day and share their joys equally with everyone.

The preparations for the Eid are no less exciting than its actual observance amid fun and festivities. That includes Eid shopping for new dresses, food items and different kinds of gifts for family members, especially the children, as well as relatives and neighbours. So, traders in various merchandises have been looking forward to this day for brisk business.

With most of the city dwellers' roots entrenched in rural Bangladesh, homeward rush of the Eid holidaymakers provides the passenger transport companies with a huge business opportunity. But as during the previous occasions, this time, too, the Eid holidaymakers had to pay through the nose to get tickets for trains, buses and launches. This profiteering motive of traders mars the joy and the spirit of brotherhood to some extent. Businesses should try to uphold the true significance of Eid and demonstrate social commitment in their business practices. And let it not be a one-day affair.

Muslims will embrace one another forgetting all their differences and ill-feelings in the correct spirit of universal brotherhood.

In Bangladesh, we hope the ambience of union and brotherhood that Eid brings with it will spread its warmth across political barriers causing the relations between major political parties to thaw.

A very happy Eid to our readers and patrons.