Second phase of Biswa Ijtema ends

The second phase of the three-day 53rd Biswa Ijtema, the second largest Muslim congregation after the Hajj, ended with “Akheri Munajat” (concluding prayers) on Sunday on the bank of Turag River at Tongi here.

Senior most Imam (Pesh Imam) of Kakrail Jame Mosque Mawlana Md Jubaer conducted the concluding prayers seeking peace, happiness and wellbeing of the Muslim Ummah.

The second phase of Biswa Ijtema formally began with "ambayan" (general sermon) after Fazr prayers at dawn on Friday amid tight security.

Earlier, the first phase of the three-day Ijtema ended on January 14 that began at the same venue after Fazr prayers on January 12 with "ambayan" (general sermon).

From beginning of the three-day Ijtema, including the first and second phases, a total of six devotees with two foreigner, died at the Ijtema ground till filing the report due to old age complication coincided with the cold weather.

Tablig Jamaat has been organising the Biswa Ijtema on the bank of Turag river since 1967.

Now Ijtema is being held in two phases since 2011 to deal with overcrowding and ensure better management and security, an organiser said.