Prayer for peace draws curtain on first phase of Bishwa Ijtema

The second phase of the religious gathering will take place from Feb 9-11

The first phase of the Bishwa Ijtema, one of the world's largest Muslim gatherings, has drawn to a close on its third day with prayers for the nation's welfare and lasting world peace.

People from across Bangladesh and other parts of the world streamed into Tongi to take part in the 'Akheri Munajat' or the final prayer service on Sunday.

Maulana Md Zubair Hasan, a senior cleric from Dhaka's Kakrail Mosque, the national headquarters of the Tablighi Jamaat, conducted the prayer from a special platform at the Ijtema grounds.

The prayer, combining Arabic, Urdu and Bangla, started at 9 am and was broadcast live on television.

Thousands of people participate in the Bishwa Ijtema every year alongside foreign members of the Tablighi Jamaat. Many others who are not regular members of the Tablighi movement also take part in the Akheri Munajat.