Ijtema ends with Akheri Munajat today

The second phase of three-day Biswa Ijtema, the second largest Muslim congregation after the Hajj, concludes today with Akheri Munajat seeking spiritual well-being and welfare of the Muslim Ummah.

Noted Indian Islamic scholar Mawlana Muhammad Saad is expected to lead the munajat sometime between 10:00am and 11:00pm, said organisers.

Before that, he will deliver a sermon on the importance of Islam based on the holy Quran and Hadith. The first phase started on January 8 and concluded on January 10 with Akheri Munajat.

Several millions devotees, including around 10,000 foreigners from 100 countries, are likely to join the Akheri Munajat on the bank of the Turag river in Tongi of Gazipur.

On the second day yesterday, thousands more devotees joined the congregation braving cold. Religious scholars delivered sermons on Islamic philosophy in the light of the holy Quran and Hadith.

Meanwhile, additional security measures have been put in place ahead of today's Akheri Munajat. Around 12,000 uniformed and plainclothes police, Rab, and intelligence agencies' members are deployed in and around the Ijtema ground to avert any untoward situation.

Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque during a visit to the Ijtema ground yesterday said they have taken all-out measures to ensure security.

He claimed that there was no threat of militant attack.

For the Akheri Munajat, vehicular movement from Chandona Chourasta to Bhogra by-pass on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, Mirer Bazar to Station Road on Tongi-Ghorashal road, and Station Road to Kamarpara would remain suspended from 3:00am today. Besides, vehicular movement from Airport to Abdullahpur would also remain suspended.

Organisers said restrictions have been imposed on vehicular movement on some roads near the venue for easing the influx of devotees. However, it will be lifted in the evening.

Gazipur district police have arranged 30 free shuttle buses for the devotees for their return home. These buses will move within the restricted areas and help the devotees to cross their way easily.

According to the control room set up at Gazipur deputy commissioner's office, 10 mobile courts had fined Tk 1.96 lakh to different restaurants for selling adulterated, stale, and low quality food in the last two days.

A high official of the Bangladesh Railway said 24 special trains would operate to cope with the rush of devotees during the second phase of this year's Ijtema.

Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) is also running special buses.

People from 33 districts, including Dhaka, are taking part in two phases of the Ijtema this year. Devotees from 17 districts took part in the first phase while devotees from 16 districts are taking part in the second phase. Those from the remaining 32 districts, also including Dhaka, would participate in the other two phases next year.

Tablighi Jamaat has been organising Biswa Ijtema every year since 1946. In 2011, the organisers had split the congregation into two phases to deal with overcrowding and ensure better management and security.