The second phase of Biswa Ijtema concluded yesterday with the Akheri Munajat on the bank of the Turag River at Tongi, on the outskirts of the capital, reports UNB. Several lakhs of Muslim devotees, both from home and abroad, converged on the congregation venue and attended the concluding prayers seeking world peace, divine forgiveness, blessings for the Muslim Ummah. Hafez Mohammad Zubayer, the Imam of Kakrail Mosque in Dhaka, conducted the 27-minute Akheri Munajat which began around 10:18am.

He recited the final prayers in Bangla like the first phase of Biswa Ijtema held on January 12-14.

President Md Abdul Hamid joined the Akheri Munajat (concluding prayers) of the second phase of the three-day Bishwa Ijtema from his official residence Bangabhaban. Apart from the Ijtema venue, thousands of devotees joined the munajat from the rooftops and terraces of nearby houses, roads and open fields.

Islamic scholars from different countries delivered sermons on various aspects of Islam at the Ijtema. The second phase of the three-day Ijtema, the second largest congregation of Muslims after the hajj, began after Fazr prayers earlier on Friday. Around 4,000 foreign devotees from 79 countries joined the second phase of Ijtema. Meanwhile, Mohor Ali, 60, a devotee hailing from Jamalpur, and Shahidullah, 65, hailing from Keraniganj, died at the Ijtema ground early in the morning. With this, a total of six devotees died in the two phases of Ijtema. Tabligh Jamaat has been organising the Ijtema at the venue since 1967. But, the Ijtema is being held in two phases from 2011 to ease the accommodation.

A seven-tier security measures have been taken to ensure security of the Muslim devotees. Around 50 close circuit cameras have been installed in and around the venue to monitor the Ijtema ground and the adjoining areas.

The transportation from Chandina intersection to Tongi of Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway and Majukhan Bridge to Station Road footbridge of Kaliganj-Tongi Highway and the road from Kamarpara Bridge to Munno Textile Mills Gate remained restricted for Akheri Munajat. Eleven shuttle buses are being operated from Bhora Bypass intersection to Tongi Ijtema spot, along with 19 other special intercity trains. Meanwhile, all the intercity trains are set to stop at Tongi station for two minutes.