Second phase of Biswa Ijtema ends

Commuters riding on the roof of a train as they return to the city after attending the Akheri Munajat in Dhaka yesterday.

By Mizan Rahman/Dhaka

Hundreds of thousands of devotees raised their hands seeking divine forgiveness and blessings for peace and prosperity of the Muslim Ummah as the second phase of Biswa Ijtema (World Muslim Congregation) concluded in Dhaka yesterday with the Akheri Munajat (ending prayers).

Noted scholar of Tablig Jamaat Maulana Jubayer al-Hasan from India conducted the 16-minute Akheri Munajat.

Devotees from home and abroad took part in the prayers on the bank of the Turag river at Tongi on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka.

Devotees from 33 districts joined the prayers with several thousands more on the nearby building rooftops and on open fields and roads.

The huge gathering of devotees, who joined the prayers, spilled over to areas around the Ijtema venue.

The second phase Biswa Ijtema began on Friday with the deliberation of Aam Bayan (general sermons) after Fajr prayers.

Islamic scholars from different Muslim countries, including India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates delivered sermons which were instantly interpreted into Bangla, English and other languages.

Like the previous years, a dowry-free mass wedding ceremony of 50 couples was held on Saturday at the Ijtema ground. Indian scholar Zobayerul Hasan conducted the weddings after the Asr prayers.

The first phase of the Biswa Ijtema concluded on January 26 with the Akheri Munajat (concluding prayers). People from 32 districts attended it.

At least 10 devotees died of old age complications at the Ijtema venue from Friday till Saturday night, police sources said.