The first phase of three-day Biswa Ijtema concluded with the ‘aheri munajat’ offered at the bank of river Turag in Tongi on Sunday morning.
Hundreds of thousands of Muslims gathered at the Ijtema ground in Tongi of Gazipur, despite the blockade enforced by the BNP-led 20 party alliance.
The akheri munajat, seeking the peace and prosperity of the Muslim ummah, began at 11.15am and concluded at 12 noon today.
Noted Indian Islamic scholar Mawlana Saad Akheri conducted the akheri munajat.President Abdul Hamid, his wife and other family members participated in the munajat from his official residence Bangabhaban.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members participated in the munajat from her official residence Gano Bhaban this morning.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia participated from her Gulshan office here.
To participate in the munajat, scores of people ignoring the cold gathered at the Ijtema venue from early hours of Sunday.
Huge crowds were seen after the munajat on different transport modes including bus and train which were leaving Tongi towards different parts in the country.
Bangladesh Railway introduced some special train service on certain routes from Tongi after the akheri munajat.
The second phase of the Biswa Ijtema would begin from January 16 where several lakh muslims from 32 districts are expected to participate. – UNB
