DHAKA (AFP) — Muslims prayed for free and fair elections in Bangladesh on Thursday as the country celebrated the Eid al-Fitr festival that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
The country has been under emergency rule since January 2007 when elections were cancelled after allegations of vote-rigging.
The military-backed government has scheduled elections for December 18 to return the country to democratic rule.
"We pray to Allah for the future of this country so that a free and fair election will be held in December," a cleric told a 50,000-strong congregation at Dhaka's national mosque.
The head of the emergency government, Fakhruddin Ahmed, called for peace.
"The holy Eid gives us an example of peace, unity and fraternity," he said in a statement.
"I call upon all to realise the significant message of Eid al-Fitr and implement it in every sphere of individual, social and national life."
In a separate statement, President Iajuddin Ahmed echoed the sentiment.
"The appeal of Eid al-Fitr is eternal in establishing a friendly and peaceful society," he said.
"I hope the great lesson of Eid al-Fitr will prompt our national development and advancement."
Bangladesh marked the festival -- the biggest in the Islamic calendar -- after most other Muslim countries as the new crescent moon was not sighted until Wednesday night.
Cities across the country were almost deserted after a mass exodus of people who travelled to their home villages to spend the holiday with their families.
An estimated six million people -- half the capital's population -- left Dhaka over the past week with most travelling by dangerously overcrowded buses, ferries and trains.
Around 12 villages in the southern Chandpur district celebrate the festival in line with Saudi Arabia, which meant villagers celebrated Eid al-Fitr on Tuesday.
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