Tongi: The second phase of the first part of the three-day Bishwa Ijtema, recognized as the second-largest congregation of Muslims, concluded today with the ‘Akheri Munajat’ on the banks of the Turag River in Tongi.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Maulana Mohammad Zubair led the concluding prayers from 12:08 pm to 12:27 pm, as confirmed by the Ijtema organising committee. The day commenced with a sermon delivered by Farooq Sahib, a senior Tabligh leader from Bangalore, India, following Fajr prayers. This sermon was translated by Mufti Amanul Haque Sahib. Subsequently, around 10:00 am, Maulana Abdur Rahman Sahib from India delivered another sermon, which was translated by Maulana Abdul Matin Sahib from Bangladesh.
The first phase of the first part of the Bishwa Ijtema had concluded on February 2, with the second phase beginning on February 3. Followers of Maulana Saad Kandhalvi are anticipating the third phase, which is scheduled to take place from February 14 to 16.
In a tragic development, two more devotees passed away at the Ijtema venue early today, raising the total death toll to nine across both phases of the gathering. The deceased were identified as Sujabat Ali Sarkar, 75, and Md Shamsul Alam, 60. This information was confirmed to the media by Habibullah Raihan, media coordinator of Shurai Nezam, Tabligh Jamaat Bangladesh.