The “Akheri Munajat” (concluding prayer) of the first phase of Biswa Ijtema on the banks of the river Turag at Tongi will be offered tomorrow, ending the three-day annual Muslim congregation.
Tens of thousands of the Muslims from home and abroad are participating in the second largest congregation of the Muslims after Hajj.
Some four million people from all walks of life are expected to join the Akheri Munajat before the Zohr prayers tomorrow.
The second phase of the Ijtema will be held from January 16 to 18 in the same venue.Devotees are joining the ijtema ground and adjoining areas despite the nonstop blockade enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.
President M Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ministers, MPs, political leaders and senior officials are expected to join the concluding prayer along with millions of devotees.
The Ijtema formally began with “ambayan” (general sermon) after Fazr prayers at dawn on Friday.
Saturday, the second day of the Ijtema, was marked by discussions on various issues, including teachings of Islam and supremacy of Allah.
The eminent alims, in their sermons, stressed on following the guidance of the holy Quran and Sunnah. The sermons were translated into different languages of the world.
Maulana Abdul Wahad, Maulana Jamshed and Maulana Ahmed Lartof of Pakistan and Kakrail Mosque Khatib Maulana Jubayer Al Hassan delivered sermons, among others, today.
After Asr prayers dowry-free marriages of a good number of couples were solemnized in the ijtema. Special prayers were offered for peace and happiness of the newlywed couples.
About 10,700 foreign devotees from some 93 countries, including India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Algeria, Oman, Yemen, Sudan, Palestine, Tunisia, Bahrain, France, Kuwait, Somalia, Kenya, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, the United States, Iraq and Iran are taking part in the congregation, organizers said.
Tin sheds for foreign participants, temporary gunny roofing has been set up for Bangladeshi participants.
Tight security measures have been taken to ensure peaceful holding of the Ijtema.
Measures have been taken to ensure supply of electricity and water in and around the ijtema venue and ensure sanitation and health services for the devotees.
Doctors are working round the clock at free medical camps, set up for providing medical support to the participants, if required.
So far, five devotees died of different physical complications. Of them, one Jahangir Alam, 70, passed away at 11 am today. He is from Dakkhin Badda in Dhaka. – BSS
