Devotees, who join Biswa Ijtema on the Turag river bank at Tongi of Gazipur, climb on the rooftop of a train to go to their destinations after concluding the three-day Ijtema on Sunday afternoon. Photo: STAR

The first phase of the Biswa Ijtema, the second largest global Muslims’ congregation, ended today with Akheri Munajat seeking the spiritual wellbeing and welfare of the Muslim Ummah.

Indian Islamic scholar Mawlana Saad began the Akheri Munajat around 11:30am today at the banks of river Turag in Tongi, reports our Gazipur correspondent from the spot. The prayers ended at 11:49am.

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The prayers were attended by hundreds of thousands of devotees who gathered at the venue defying an existing countrywide blockade programme sponsored by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.

Devotees offer final prayer (Akheri Munajat) of the Biswa Ijtema on the bank of Turag river at Tongi in Gazipur Sunday. Photo: TV grab

President Abdul Hamid took part in the Akheri Munajat from his Bangabhaban residence and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from her Gono Bhaban official residence. They sought peace and prosperity of the country as well as the community of Muslims across the world.

About 5,000 foreign nationals from at least 55 countries are taking part in the first phase of the event, said Harun-ur-Rashid, superintendent of Gazipur police.

Devotees offer Juma prayers on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway Friday, as the assembly at the Biswa Ijtema ground on the Turag bank spills over. Photo: STAR

The second phase of the Biswa Ijtema will begin from January 16.

10 DIE AT IJTEMA VENUE

At least 10 people have died in the grounds of Ijtema during its first phase due to cardiac arrest and other complications, our correspondent reports quoting police.

Eight of the deceased were identified as Makbul Hossain, 75, and Toayazzel Hossain, 50, from Chuadanga, Sadequr Rahman, 20 from Sylhet, Abdus Salam, 50, from Gazipur, Jahangir Alalm Sarker, 65, from Dhaka, Kafil Uddin Mandol, 50, from Natore; and Khairul Kabir, 55, and Riaz Uddin, 52, from Kishoreganj.

Meanwhile, law enforcers picked up 17 people on charges of pick-pocketing and mugging. A mobile court also lodged 10 cases and fined Tk 13,000 to businessmen for sale of adulterated food.