Seven devotees die at Ijtema ground

Seven devotees died at Bishwa Ijtema ground in Gazipur's Tongi in the last three days due to old age complications and breathing problems.

The deceased were identified as Md Nurul Haque, 63, from Hembute village under Jaintapur Police Station in Sylhet, Abu Tayeb alias Abu Taleb, 90, from Bhurilia area in Gazipur city, Haji Mohammad Habib Ullah Hobi, 68, from Dhaka's Keraniganj upazila, Akkas Ali Sikder, 50, from Kamar village under Srinagar Police Station in Munshiganj, Mofazzal Hossain Khan, 70, from Molmolia village under Dumuria Police Station in Khulna, Habibur Rahman Hobi, 70, from Masimpur village under Monohardi upazila of Narsingdi and Abdul Razzak, 70, from Raozan area under Sadar Police Station in Chattogram.

They all died between Thursday and Saturday, Tongi East Police Station officer in-charge Ashraful Islam said.

Their namaz-e-janaza was held at the Ijtema ground and later, their bodies were sent to their respective village homes, the OC added.

However, the first phase of Bishwa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of Muslims after Hajj, began on the bank of Turag River in Gazipur's Tongi on Friday.

The congregation started with the a'mbayan (general sermons) of Maulana Ziaul Haque after Fajr prayers on the day with the participation of thousands of devotees. 

The first phase of Bishwa Ijtema will end on January 15 while the second phase will be held on January 20-22.

Md Aminul Islam/SU