Thousands of devotees from home and abroad have been thronging the bank of the Turag river for Akheri Munajat today, which will mark the end of the the second phase of Biswa Ijtema.

Sayem, media coordinator of Biswa Ijtema, said the Akheri Munajat is likely to begin either at 11:30am or 12:30pm.

Maulana Saad's son Yusuf bin Saad Kandhalvi, the eldest son of Maulana Saad of Delhi, will conduct the Akheri Munajat, reports our Gazipur correspondent.

Devotees from the surrounding areas started gathering at the venue in processions siince Fajr prayer to take part in the Akheri Munajat.

Various offices, educational institutions and factories have been declared closed for today due to the Akheri Munajat.

Devotees are coming to Ijtema Maidan on foot as movements of vehicles from Tongi to Bhogra Bypass on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, Kamarpara Road, Abdullahpur to Bypile on Ashulia Road remain suspended from 6:00am.

Meanwhile, total five devotees have so far died at the Ijtema venue during the second phase.

The metro rail service will run from 8:00am to 5:00pm today for smooth movement of the devotees.

The first phase of the three-day Biswa Ijtema ended on January 15.