First phase of Bishwa Ijtema ends

Muslims devotees from home and abroad joined in their thousands the concluding prayer of the first phase of Bishwa Ijtema that ended on Sunday on the bank of the River Turag at Tongi on the outskirts of the capital.
The devotees raised their hands in prayers seeking forgiveness, blessings, peace and prosperity of the ummah.
Maulana Saad from India conducted the 24-minute Akheri Munajat which began around 11:08am.
The devotees took part in the munajat on the Ijtema ground, on roads, on top of residential buildings as crowds spilled onto the adjacent areas.
President Abdul Hamid, along with family members and staff, took part in the concluding prayer of Ijtema from Bangabhaban.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina, along with family members and cabinet members, joined akheri munajat from Ganabhaban while BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia also joined the munajat from her Gulshan residence.
The three-day congregation began on Friday with religious sermons delivered by Maulana Abdur Rahman of Pakistan.
Ijtema is being held in two phases from 2012 to ease accommodation problem. The second phase of Ijtema is scheduled for January 15-17 at the same place.
Meanwhile, nine devotees including a foreigner died on the Ijtema ground on Sunday afternoon. They died of cardiac arrest, old age complications and respiratory problems.
Special measures were taken to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity during the three-day Ijtema. Bangladesh Railway operated 28 special trains to carry the devotees.
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology student Muhammad Shahnewaz Bhuyan who attended the Ijtema told New Age that the largest gathering ended peacefully.
‘I did not face any problem in last three days I have spent in the Ijtema,’ he said.
International University of Business Agriculture and Technology professor Mohammad Ataur Rahman said the first phase of Ijtema ended without creating problems.
Most of the devotees started leaving the spot, he said, adding that one-third of them would stay in the ground until the second phase of ijtema ends.

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