Bishwa Ijtema's first phase ends seeking peace for mankind

Seeking peace for the country and its people was the essence of the Akheri Munajat (final prayers) of the first phase of the Bishwa Ijtema this year.

Hundreds of thousands gathered at the banks of Turag River in Gazipur's Tongi on Sunday to join the final prayers of the Ijtema, the second largest Muslim congregation after the Hajj.

The 35-minute long final prayer, which also sought for world peace, was conducted by Indian cleric Maulana Muhammad Saad.

President Md Abdul Hamid joined the prayer from the Bangabhaban and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from her official residence, the Ganabhaban.

Around three million people have taken part in the final prayers, according to organisers.

Devotees were seen walking down to the already overflowing Ijtema ground since early on Sunday.

Thousands gathered in alleys and roads, while many got on to boats on the Turag River to join the Akheri Munajat.

More than 6,000 police personnel have been deployed in and around the Ijtema grounds to ensure security for the devotees, said Gazipur's Superintendent of Police Harun ur Rashid.

In pictures: Bishwa Ijtema first phase ends

Traffic on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, leading to Tongi, had remained suspended since Saturday midnight.

Holiday has been declared in educational institutions, offices, and factories around the venue.

The first phase of the Ijtema started early morning Friday, which has been attended by devotees from 17 out of the 64 districts in Bangladesh.

The second phase, in which devotees from 15 other districts will join, will start on Jan 20 at the same venue and end on Jan 22.

Devotees from the remaining 32 district will attend the two-phase Ijtema next year.

The congregation was first organised at the Kakrail mosque in 1946.

Two years later, it was held at Chittagong's Haji camp followed by one at Narayanganj’s Siddhirganj in 1958.

As the number of participants increased, the congregation was eventually moved to the banks of Turag in Gazipur.

Later, 160 acres of land was acquired and developed as a permanent Ijtema ground.

Since 2011, it's being held in two phases, to ease the accommodation problem.

But last year,  the organisers planned a four-phase Ijtema that will be spread over two years to enable Muslims from the country’s 64 districts to take part.