First phase of Bishwa Ijtema ends with Akheri Munajat
The Munajat, which was attended by thousands of devotees from home and abroad, started at 9:11am and ended at 9:35am
The first phase of the 58th Bishwa Ijtema on the bank of the Turag River ended this morning (2 February) with Akheri Munajat, conducted by topmost leader of Tabligh Jamaat Bangladesh and Kakrail mosque Imam Maulana Zubayer Ahmed.
All the educational institutions and industrial units in Tongi, Uttara, and adjacent areas had been closed to make way for the Akheri Munajat.
The Munajat, which was attended by thousands of devotees from home and abroad, started at 9:11am and ended at 9:35am.
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Visiting the area, our correspondent found thousands of devotees who were already staying at the Ijtema ground along with other devotees arriving from different areas in Dhaka and Gazipur since last night (1 February) participating in the Akheri Munajat.
As the roads around the Ijtema ground were closed by Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP), devotees who had arrived only to take part in the Munajat did so by taking positions wherever they could find a place near the Ijtema ground.
As a result, the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway and Kamarpara areas along with alleyways and rooftops of buildings in the area were packed with devotees taking part in the Akheri Munajat.
As the Akheri Munajat was broadcast on television and social media, many devotees from afar were able to join it.
Anisur Rahman, a devotee joining the Akheri Munajat from Gazipur's Kapasia, said, "I arrived at Joydebpur on a CNG-run auto-rickshaw at 4am and reached Bhogra Bypass on an auto-rickshaw. Finding no transportation from there, I walked up 12km and joined the Akheri Munajat from a place near the Ijtema ground. I have found solace as I was able to join the event."
Although there was no accommodation for women at the Ijtema ground, many women were seen taking part in the Munajat from adjoining areas.
Meanwhile, at least five devotees died at the Ijtema ground during the first phase, confirmed Ijtema Media Coordinator Md Habibullah Raihan.
Gazipur Deputy Commissioner Nafisa Arefin said, "Various government agencies including Gazipur district administration have worked together to ensure proper services to the devotees and their safety. I thank everyone as the event has ended peacefully and no untoward incident has taken place."
Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) Commissioner Nazmul Karim Khan said, "GMP members have worked tirelessly to ensure security and transportation for the Ijtema attendees. Although minor trouble emerged when thousands of devotees started to return at once, the situation subsided quickly."
"Buses and trains have been made available so that devotees can return. The first phase of this year's Bishwa Ijtema has ended well. Nothing problematic happened during the event," he added.
