World peace sought at Ijtema

The first phase of Biswa Ijtema has ended in Gazipur with the final prayer for world peace, unity among Muslims and welfare of the country.

India’s Maulana Md Zobairul Hassan conducted the 21-minute Akheri Munajat (final prayer), starting around 12:55pm on Sunday.

Thousands of Muslims joined the prayer at the Biswa Ijtema grounds and surrounding areas.

They were seen in the alleys and on the road, rooftops of shops, offices, houses, parked vehicles, and on boats in river Turag flowing next to the Ijtema venue.

President Abdul Hamid took part in the Akheri Munajat from Bangabhaban and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from Ganabhaban. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia joined it from the rooftop of Atlas building at Tongi.

Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said Hasina participated in the prayer with her family members and relatives on the first floor of her official residence.

Religious Affairs Minister Matiur Rahman, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, Home Affairs State Minister Asaduzzman Khan Kamal and Gazipur MP Zahid Ahsan Russel attended the prayer at police control room at the grounds of Ijtema, the second largest congregation of Muslims.

Prime Minister’s Special Envoy HM Ershad, also the Jatiya Party Chairman, participated in it sitting near the main podium of the gathering.

Dhaka-based diplomats of different Muslim countries, political leaders and senior civil and military officials were also among the attendees.

Organisers said over 3 million people might have taken part in the Akheri Munajat.

Devout Muslims started walking down to the Ijtema grounds since early in the morning.

As the ground was filled to the brim by 9am, thousands were seen positioning themselves in alleys, on roads, rooftops of residential buildings, factories and vehicles, and on boats. They sat on mats, newspapers, polythene paper and cement sacks.

Holiday was declared in educational institutions, offices and factories around the venue for the day.

Many people gathered at the grounds of different institutions and in bazaars in Gazipur to join the prayer in groups.

The Munajat was relayed by wireless devices and cell-phones.

Women were also seen joining the Munajat.

Organisers said around 35,000 foreigners from across the world were among those who attended the Akheri Munajat .

The devotees started leaving the venue on completion of the prayer. Their rush caused severe traffic congestions on the roads and highways around Tongi.

The first phase of Ijtema began on Friday morning with the delivery of sermons. On Sunday, Maulana Zamir Uddin of Bangladesh and Maulana Saa’d of India delivered lectures before the beginning of Akheri Manajat.

The second phase of the congregation will start on Jan 31, after a break of four days.