Devotees join Akheri Munajat at Tongi

The second phase of Biswa Ijtema, the second largest Muslim congregations after Hajj, ended with the offering of Akheri Munajat as more than two million of Muslims raised their hands seeking forgiveness and blessings on the banks of the Turag yesterday.

Akheri Munajat of second phase of Biswa Ijtema started at 11am and its duration was 30 minutes. Huge number of Muslims offered the prayers on roads and footpaths failing to manage places in the Ijtema venue, creating a long tailback on Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway.

According to Tabligh Jamaat of Bangladesh decision this year Maulana Saad Kandhalvi, Delhi, India has directed the Akheri Munajat. Most of the industries around the  Dhaka and Gazipur were closed during the Akheri Munajat as their employee could attend the munajat.

Superintendent of Police of Gazipur Mohammad Harun Or Rashid said more than 6500 law enforcers were deployed to avert any untoward incident at the Ijtema ground.

He said movement of vehicles, except ambulances and police vans, from Joydebpur intersection of Gazipur on Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway to Airport, from Mirerbazar of Gazipur Sadar on Dhaka-Sylhet Highway to Tongi, and from Abdullahpur of Abdullahpur-Ashulia road to bypass road remained restricted.

Biswa Ijtema management committee data showed more than 7000 overseas devotees have reached the second phase Ijtema venue from several countries, including India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Panama, Egypt, Oman, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iran, Japan, Canada, Cambodia, Mozambique, Russia, the USA, Sweden, Belgium, Italy, Kenya and New Zealand.

The first phase of Biswa Ijtema was held at the same venue on January 13-15. Devotees from 16 districts attended the first phase. Tablig Jamaat has been organizing the Ijtema at the venue since 1967. But, Ijtema is held in two phases since 2011 to ease the accommodation problem.

The Bishwa Ijtema meaning international congregation is an annual gathering of Muslims. It is one of the largest peaceful gatherings in the world. 

The Ijtema is a prayer meeting spread over three days, during which attending devotees perform daily prayers while listening to scholars reciting and explaining verses from the Holy Quran.  The Ijtema is considered a demonstration of Muslim unity, solidarity, mutual love and respect and an opportunity to reiterate their commitment to Islamic values.