"I congratulate all on the occasion of the festival after month-long fasting and hope that the day will bring joy and welfare for all," President Iajuddin said in a message on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, the greatest festival of the Muslim Ummah.

He said appeal of the Eid festival is universal which brings all irrespective of the rich and the poor in a society to a close association after practicing month-long restraint and self-purification which are the teachings of the holy Ramadan.

"Although, Eid is the greatest religious festival of the Muslim Ummah, it also develops relation, peace and harmony among the members of all religions," he added.

The President also hoped that solidarity and equality, leaving all narrowness and personal and group interests, would be the key themes of the day which could make the significance of observing the fasting into meaningful.

"I congratulate the countrymen, and all the Muslim brothers and sisters of the Muslim world," Prime Minister Khaleda Zia said in a separate message.

She said the Eid festival comes after month-long fasting and its significance is different. "The message of equality, friendship and solidarity becomes prominent on this happy occasion," she said.

She called upon the people to take lessons of firm unity, peace and tranquility from this auspicious festive occasion.

Khaleda prayed for peace, progress and prosperity of the country, and the Muslim Ummah. "Let the joy of the Eid spread all the homes and on every day of the year," she added.