The New Nation - Internet Edition

Rafiqul Islam Azad with Nazrul Islam Badami

The three-day Biswa Ijtema, the second largest annual Muslim congregation in the world, suddenly came to an end at Tongi on the very opening day (Friday) due to inclement weather.

The organisers decided not to proceed with the programme and declared the grand assembly over through a brief mass prayer (akheri munajat) considering the untold sufferings of the devotees due to severe cold spell and rains.

Millions of devotees from about 60 countries, flocked the sprawling venue on the bank of River Turag in the outskirts of the capital city, Dhaka, took part in the akheri munajat, which was offered just after the night prayer (Isha Prayers).

Hafez Maulana Jubaer-ul-Hasan, the Imam of Delhi Jame Mosque and Ameer of Tablig Jamaat, led the akheri munajat, seeking the blessing of Almighty Allah for the peace, progress, prosperity and welfare of the Muslim Ummah, including Bangladesh and to preserve the religious harmony across the world.

Gazipur Deputy Commissioner (DC) Syed Mizanur Rahman told reporters that the Ijtema was concluded considering the plights of the participants as most of the venue went become muddy.

Besides, the cold spell and frequent rains made it totally inconvenient for the devotees to listen to the sermons of Islamic scholars and also impeded their movement, he said.

The devotees, who gathered at the Ijtema venue from nearby places, have returned homer following the munajat, which lasted for half and hour from 7:45pm. The other devotees are expected to leave the venue today.

Earlier, the grand assembly started in the morning through aambayan (general sermon) amid tight security.

Both the sides of River Turag and its adjacent areas have virtually turned into a human sea as millions of devotees poured into the Ijtema, which is believed to be the second largest annual Islamic event in the world since the morning defying the inclement weather.

Renowned Islamic scholars, including, Maulana Ehsan, Maulana M Zobayer, Hazi Abdul Haq, Maulana Mozammel Haq and Maulana Omar Faruk delivered sermons yesterday.

The sermons were being simultaneously translated into various languages including Bangla.

The scholars advised the devotees to follow the complete code of life and guidance from the holy Quran and Sunnah and spread the message of peace in Islam across the globe.

Adviser for Local Government and Rural Development Anwarul Iqbal, Health Secretary AKM Zafrullah Khan, Dhaka Divisional Commissioner M Iqbal Ahmed, among others, took part in the Jumma prayers.

Meanwhile, one devotee died of old age complications at the Ijtema ground. The the victim Giash Uddin, 80, hails from Bhulbaria in Pabna. Twenty other devotees were admitted to Tongi General Hospital with diarrhea and other diseases.

The government had taken strict security measures in and around the Ijtema grounds.

A five-tire security cordon in and around the Bishwa Ijtema venue had been arranged with about 10 thousand security personnel. CCTVs had been put in place to ensure safety of devotees.

Necessary medical services were provided to the devotees through 24 ambulances while a special initiative had been taken to keep the water of the Turag pollution free.

The government had set up dispensaries around the grounds for devotees. Around 40 voluntary organisations had also set up free medical treatment centres to provide the devotees with first aid and medicines.

Tablig Jamaat, a non-political group of Islamic scholars, has been organising the mega event since 1967.

The women devotees also joined the Ijtema under separate arrangements.