Second-phase Bishwa Ijtema ends with Akheri Munajat

Devotees at Ijtema ground in Togi, Gazipur on 19 January 2020. Photo: Prothom Alo
Devotees at Ijtema ground in Togi, Gazipur on 19 January 2020. Photo: Prothom Alo

The second phase of the three-day Bishwa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of Muslims after Hajj, ended on the banks of the Turag river in Tongi, Gazipur on Sunday through the ‘Akheri Munajat’ (final prayers), reports UNB.

Maulana Mohammad Jamshed from Delhi in conducted the final prayers, said Maulana Syed Wasiful Islam. It concluded shortly after 12:00pm.

The 55th edition of the Bishwa Ijtema began on Friday with general sermons after Fazr prayers with the participation of followers of Indian Islamic preacher Maulana Muhammad Saad Al Kandhalvi.

Devotees at Ijtema ground in Togi, Gazipur on 19 January 2020. Photo: Prothom Alo
Devotees at Ijtema ground in Togi, Gazipur on 19 January 2020. Photo: Prothom Alo

Devotees from home and abroad thronged the banks of Turag to take part in Ijtema.

Indian Islamic scholar Maulana Mohammad Mursalin conducted sermon after Fazr prayers that were translated in Bangla by Mufti Azimuddin on Saturday.

Meanwhile, five devotees died at the Ijtema venue during the second phase of Bishwa Ijtema.

Devotees at Ijtema ground in Togi, Gazipur on 19 January 2020. Photo: Prothom Alo
Devotees at Ijtema ground in Togi, Gazipur on 19 January 2020. Photo: Prothom Alo

Md Anwar Hossain, commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police, said they arranged extra buses and special train services for smooth movements of devotees.

The first phase of the Ijtema ended on 12 January where followers of Maulana Zubair Hassan, the imam of Kakrail mosque, took part.

Tabligh Jamaat has been organising the congregation at the venue since 1967.