Gazipur: The first phase of the Bishwa Ijtema at Tongi near the capital ended Sunday with the offering of Akheri Munajat (concluding prayers) joined by millions of Muslims from home and abroad.

The devotees raised their hands in prayers seeking forgiveness and blessings for peace and prosperity of the Muslim Ummah.

World Tablig Jamaat Ameer Hazrat Maulana Jobayerul Hassan from Delhi conducted the munajat seeking global peace, and unity and welfare of the Muslim Ummah along with salvation in the world hereafter.

The 17-minute Akheri Munajat, marked with resounding of the word 'amin' and tears rolling down from the eyes of pious Muslims, ended before the Zohr prayers.

Different government agencies including the army, police, railway and health department extended their hands to facilitate the event, which also witnessed a dowry-free mass wedding took place at the venue on Saturday.

An unprecedented scenario was created as myriad of Muslim devotees raised their hands in a mass prayer seeking the mercy and forgiveness of Almighty Allah. Many devotees broke down in tears during the Akheri Munajat.

The gathering of devotees of all ages spilled over to the roads and areas around the Ijtema venue as Akheri Munajat started. Pin-drop silence prevailed at the virtual human sea with the prayers offered using loud speakers.

Hundreds of thousands of people joined the Munajat by raising their hands from the rooftops and terraces of nearby houses, roads and open fields.

President M Zillur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Opposition Leader Begum Khaleda Zia, ministers, MPs, political leaders, senior officials and foreign diplomats joined the prayers along with devotees from all walks of life.

Meanwhile, five devotees, including an Indian National, died of clod related diseases at the Ijtema ground early Sunday.

They are-Md Rafiquddin, 63,of Chabbish Pargana of India, Alauddin Sheikh,50, of Boalmari thana of Faridpur district,  Md Ibrahim,50 of Habiganj district, Syed Ali Khan,70, of Monirampur thana of Jessore district and  Abul Khair,55 of Chandpur district.

As in the last three years, Biswa Ijtema is being held in two phases this year. The second phase Ijtema will be held on January 18-20 at the same venue.

The three-day annual Islamic congregation began on Friday with the deliberation of ‘Aam Bayan’ or general sermons by Fajr prayers.

The mammoth congregation includes delivering sermons on the fundamental issues of Tabligh, prayers for the spiritual adulation, exaltation and welfare of the Muslim Ummah.

Around 12,000 security personnel from different agencies were posted at the venue to ensure smooth holding of the Ijtema.  Observation towers were set up to watch public movement while closed circuit televisions and video cameras installed at 18 entrances to the venue.

Besides, plainclothes police (DB police) and members of the Special Branch of police were also there to ensure that crimes like pick-pocketing and theft do not occur during the three-day religious gathering. 

A total of eight pontoon bridges were set up on the Turag River to facilitate the devotees to cross it.

More than 25,000 foreign devotees from over 100 countries, including China, the USA, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UK are taking part in the 48th Ijtema.

Islamic scholars from different Muslim countries delivered sermons on various aspects of Islam, especially Namaz, Roza, Iman and Akherat.

The first Ijtema was held at Kakrail Mosque in the capital way back in 1946, the second one in Chittagong in 1948 and at Pagar in Tongi in 1966.

The Biswa Ijtema has been held on the eastern bank of Turag River since then as space at Pagar was not sufficient.

Doctors were working round the clock at free medical camps, set up for providing medical support to the participants, if required. Twenty ambulances were also available there, said the organisers.

Special measures have been taken for transportation of the devotees. Bangladesh Railway is running special trains on the occasion while Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) introduced 50 special bus services.

President takes part in Akheri Munajat from Bangabhaban

President Zillur Rahman on Sunday took part in the Akheri Munajat of Biswa Ijtema, second largest congregation of the Muslim ummah, being held on the bank of the river Turag here.

From Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban, the President took part in the munajat.

Secretaries, officials and employees of the President's Office also took part in the munajat with the President.

On the Akheri Munajat, a special prayer was offered seeking continued peace, progress and welfare of the country and as well as the Muslim Ummah.

PM takes part in Akheri Munajat from Gonobhaban

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday took part in the Akheri Munajat of Biswa Ijtema, second largest congregation of the Muslim Ummah, being held on the bank of the river Turag in the outskirt of the capital.

From her official residence Gonobhaban, the Prime Minister along with her family members took part in the Munajat.

Officials and employees of the Prime Minister Office and Gonobhaban also took part in the Munajat with the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister preferred to take part in the Munajat from Ganobhaban considering the inconvenience people face while ensuring her security, PM's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said.

Post and Telecommunications Minister Sahara Khatun, Railway Minister Mujibul Haque, Baby Moudud, MP, Lutfun Nahar Laily, MP, press secretary Abul Kalam Azad and PM' Special Assistant Abdus Sobhan Golap were present among others.

On the Akheri Munajat, a special prayer was offered seeking continued peace, progress and welfare of the country and as well as the Muslim Ummah.

Khaleda attends Akheri Munajat

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia attended the Akheri Munajat of Bishwa Ijtema on Sunday morning like the previous years.

Khaleda reached the Ijtema venue at about 11:30am and attended the Munajat.

She left her Gulshan residence at about 11:00am for the bank of river Turag in order to join the Akheri Munajat of the first-phase of Bishwa Ijtema.

Among others, BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbus, Vice-Chairman Selima Rahman, Khaleda’s press secretary Maruf Kamal Khan, religious affairs secretary Advocate Masud Ahmed Talukder and women affairs secretary Shirin Sultana accompanied the former prime minister.

The ‘akheri munajat’ was offered on Sunday afternoon, ending the three-day annual Muslims’ second largest congregation.

Tens of thousands of the Muslims from home and abroad participated in the congregation of the Muslims after Hajj.

Around four million people from all walks of life joined the Akheri Munajat before Zohr prayers at about 12:15pm.

The second-largest Muslim congregation began on Friday with myriad devotees from home and abroad thronging the bank of Turag for the first phase of Bishwa Ijtema.

Ends/AMA/13/01/13