First phase of Ijtema ends with prayer for peace

The first phase of the Biswa Ijtema concluded yesterday with the Akheri Munajat (final prayers), seeking peace on earth and prosperity for the Muslim Ummah.

Thousands of devotees gathered at the Ijtema ground on the Turag banks and on the roads adjacent to the Ijtema venue during the munajat.

Maulana Mohammad Zubayer, imam of Kakrail mosque, led the 20-minute munajat at 10:00am.

Ijtema is being held in two phases since 2012 to address the accommodation issue.

The second phase of the Ijtema is scheduled to be held on January 20-22 at the same venue.

In the first phase, total seven people have died from old-age complications and respiratory problems on the venue.

Meanwhile, a heavy traffic caused sufferings to the devotees as they had to walk a long way to reach the venue. Rest of the commuters had to stop on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway. "I had to walk for five kilometres to reach Ijtema venue," said Altaf Uddin of Badda. Aminul Islam, another devotee from Badda, echoed him.

Meanwhile, vehicular movements remained suspended on Tongi-Bhogra Bypass, Khamarpara road, Abdullahpur-Bypile road, and Ashulia road from 12:01am yesterday till the concluding prayers ended.