Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday joined the Akheri Munajat (concluding prayers) of Biswa Ijtema as an estimated 3mn devotees from both home and abroad participated in the first phase of the world’s largest Muslim congregation after the Haj that ended on the banks of the river Turag at Tongi, near Dhaka.
President Abdul Hamid and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Khaleda Zia also joined the prayers.
A special prayer was offered seeking continued peace, progress and welfare of the country as well as the greater unity of the Muslim Ummah. Noted Indian Islamic scholar Maulana Saad led the prayers.
Gazipur Police Superintendent Harunor Rashid told newsmen that 7,804 foreign nationals from about 91 countries took part in the first phase of the congregation.
The second phase of Biswa Ijtema slated for January 20-22.
Noted Ulema in their sermons called for following the guidance of the Qur’an and Sunnah. The sermons were translated into several languages.
Muslim devotees arrive on a crowded train to take part in Akheri Munajat, or final prayers, at the Biswa Ijtema or World Muslim Congregation, at Tongi, some 30kms north of Dhaka, yesterday.
