Dhaka: Tens of thousands of Muslims prayed for global peace as the first phase of world’s second largest annual Muslim congregation after Haj concluded on Sunday, defying a nationwide opposition strike that entered the fifth day amid continuing political violence that has left 11 people dead.
The three-day Biswa Ijtema drew the highest number of people, including 5,000 foreigners from 50 countries, on the last day of the first phase of congregation today. The event was concluded with a closing prayer or “akheri munajat” by Indian cleric Maulana Saad, who prayed for the return of peace in Bangladesh and elsewhere in the world.
The second phase of Ijtema will commence after a four-day break – from January 16 and it will conclude on January 18. Since 2011, the Ijtema has been held in two phases to accommodate the large number of devotees. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took part in the prayers from her Ganabhavan official residence, officials told PTI.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took part in the prayers from her Ganabhavan official residence, officials told PTI. The ijtema, staged annually by the New Delhi-based World Tablig Jamaat since 1964 in Bangladesh, draws crowds in huge number, earning the event the reputation of being the world’s second largest Muslim congregation after the Haj. (PTI)
