Hundreds of thousands throng Tongi to join final Bishwa Ijtema prayers

Hundreds of thousands of devotees have gathered at Gazipur's Tongi on the banks of the Turag River on Sunday as the first phase of this year's Bishwa Ijtema is set to end with the Akheri Munajat (final prayers.)

It is the world’s second biggest Muslim congregation after the Hajj, held every winter.

Around three million people are expected to take part in the final prayers conducted by Indian cleric Maulana Muhammad Saad, organizers say.

The devotees were seen walking down to the already full Ijtema ground.

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.

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.

Since 2011, Bishwa Ijtema is being held in two phases, to ease the accommodation problem.

The second phase of the Ijtema is scheduled to begin on Jan 20 at the same venue and will end on Jan 22.