Biswa Ijtema
Concluding prayers today
The three-day-long first phase of Biswa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of the Muslims, will conclude today through offering Akheri Munajat (concluding prayers) on the banks of the Turag.
Hundreds of thousands of devotees from home and abroad will pray for spiritual progress, exaltation and welfare of the Muslim community.
The concluding prayers are likely to start anytime between 11:30am and 1:00pm.
President Zillur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia and many more dignitaries are expected to join the concluding prayers.
Road traffic on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway and Abdullahpur-Ashulia road will remain suspended from morning till the end of the prayers.
Braving bitter chill and transport crisis, thousands of devotees thronged the Ijtema ground in Tongi yesterday.
The day started with a sermon from Pakistani religious scholar Mohammad Ehsan just after the Fazr prayers. It was followed by lectures from Indian scholar Zobayerul Hasan and a number of Bangladeshi scholars throughout the day.
Following the tradition of the gathering, a dowry-free mass wedding took place at the venue.
Hundreds of devotees were seen staying under the open sky just laying mats on the ground.
“I am suffering especially due to the cold spell. But it doesn’t bother me as I think I would be lucky if I die here,” said 70-year-old Kamaluddin Miah, who came from Sylhet to seek divine blessings.
Many were cooking meals in stoves beside their makeshift tents, while some others took flattened and puffed rice to avoid the hassle of cooking.
Devotees waited in long queues at different temporary medial camps set up on the Ijtema ground.
“Most of them are coming to us with cold-related complaints. We are giving them first aid. If we find anybody with serious illness, we refer him to Tongi Hospital,” said Adam Ali, a medical service provider.
Meanwhile, Abdul Majid, 65, of Barisal died of cardiac arrest at the Ijtema venue yesterday morning, raising the death toll to eight.
Stringent security measures have been put in place in and around the venue. About 12,000 security personnel have been deployed to ensure safety of the devotees.
Besides, hundreds of volunteers are working round the clock to make sure the event runs smoothly.
Devotees from 32 districts and over 15,000 foreigners are attending the first phase of the Ijtema. The second phase is scheduled for January 20-22.
Tablighi Jamaat has been organising the annual congregation in Tongi since 1946.
-With The Daily Star input
