Moon Desk: The first phase of Tabligh Jamaat’s 56th World Ijtema ended on Sunday with wishes for the unity of the Muslim Ummah, the peace of the world and the hereafter, the prosperity and welfare of the nation in the last prayer. Leader of Bangladesh Tabligh Jamaat Maulana Hafez Zobair Ahmad conducted the final prayer between 10-10:30am.
Thousands of devotees raised their hands, seeking divine forgiveness and blessings for peace and prosperity of the Muslim ummah. They also prayed for the country’s welfare.
After two years of break because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Ijtema began on the banks of the Turag river in Tongi after Fajr prayers on Friday (January 13) with general sermons by noted Islamic scholar Maulana Ziaul Haque of Pakistan.
As part of the rationalized traffic system, movement of vehicles remained suspended from 12am on Saturday till the Akheri Munajat this morning – from Tongi to Bhogra Bypass on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, Khamarpara Road, and Abdullahpur to Bypile on Ashulia Road, said Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mollah Nazrul Islam.
So far, seven elderly devotees have died at the Ijtema venue during the first phase of the global congregation, said Jisanul Haque, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police.
Tabligh Jamaat has been organising the congregation at the venue since 1967. In 2011, it divided Ijtema into two phases to accommodate a large number of attendees.
The second phase of Ijtema will be held from January 20 to 22 this year.
8 devotees die during first phase of Ijtema: Eight devotees died during the first phase of Bishwa Ijtema held in Tongi, Gazipur on the city’s outskirts, police and doctors confirmed.
Assistant Sub-Inspector of Special Branch in Gazipur city Md Monir Uddin on Sunday said they died at the Ijtema ground during the second largest congregation of Muslims after Hajj.
The deceased are — Nurul Haque, 63, son of Fazlul Haque of Jaintapur in Sylhet, Abu Taiab alias Abu Taleb, 90, resident of Bhuruliapur in Gazipur, Akkas Ali Shikdar, 50, son of Billal Hossain of Uttarpara area in Dhaka’s Jatrabari, Anisur Rahman, 71, son of Chomir Uddin of Kazi Alauddin Road at Bangshal in Dhaka, Mofazzal Hossain, 70, son of Mobark Hossain of Dumuria upazila in Khulna, Abdur Razzak, 70, son of Abdul Rashid of Raozan upazila in Chattogram, Habibullah Habi, 69, son of Rahmatullah of Narsingdi, and Chomir Uddin, 72, a resident of Narsingdi.
Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital Health Inspector and in-charge of the Ijtema control room of the hospital SM Saiful Islam told BSS that they have died due to illness and old age and breathing complications.
Their funeral prayers were held at the Ijtema ground.
The bodies were handed over to their family members after the Akheri Munajat was held, local law enforcement officials said.
