Dhaka’s Azimpur Graveyard stays awake through the night on Shab-e-Barat

A large number of people gathered at Azimpur graveyard in Dhaka from Tuesday evening onwards on the occasion of the holy night of Shab-e-Barat.

Families, relatives, friends and neighbours from different parts of Dhaka were at the graveyard to offer Fateha for their loved ones. Many believe that visiting graves on the night of Shab-e-Barat carries special significance.

On regular days, the two entrances of the graveyard are usually closed by 11:00pm. However, on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat, the authorities kept the gates open throughout the night to allow people to visit and offer prayers.

Alongside them, a large number of destitute people gathered both inside and outside the graveyard, hoping for financial assistance from the visitors. Such gatherings are commonly seen on religious occasions.

Irfan Hossain, who came from Shewrapara with his wife and her four sisters, said they were visiting the graveyard to pray for his mother-in-law. He said she passed away on July 11, 2025, and the family visits her grave from time to time. “Today is a special night, so we came to offer prayers for her soul,” he said.

Among the hundreds of people seeking financial assistance was Rina Begum, who arrived at the graveyard around 11:00pm with her physically-challenged son. A resident of the Kathalbagan area, she said she works at a scrap shop and also seeks assistance when needed.

She said she came to Azimpur graveyard on Shab-e-Barat hoping that people would be more generous on the night. She planned to stay there throughout the night and return home at dawn.

Hafizur Rahman, imam of the Azimpur graveyard mosque, said the graveyard was established during the Mughal period and contains thousands of graves. 

He said that currently around 30 bodies are buried there each day. “Earlier, the number was higher. It has reduced somewhat as several large graveyards have been established in Dhaka,” he said, adding that the total area of the graveyard is 27.4 acres.

He estimated that several hundred thousand people may visit the graveyard over a 24-hour period to offer prayers for their loved ones.

Meanwhile, vehicular movement was halted from the Eden College area up to one of the gates of the graveyard, and until the filing of this report around midnight, hundreds of people were seen entering the graveyard.