The first phase of Bishwa Ijtema concluded yesterday with lakhs of devotees joining in a Final Prayer (Akheri Munajat) to seek world peace, stability and divine blessings for humankind.
Indian Religious Scholar Maulana Zobayerul Hassan led the 20-minute prayer. As he started off around 12:55pm, the whole ground became a triumph of kneeling figures with heads lowered and hands held high into the sky – the only sounds audible outside his supplications were that of “Ameen”, uttered in agreement by the devotees.
Those who arrived at the venue only for the prayer started coming since early morning, braving chilly weather and acute transport crisis. Many walked to the ground from their homes, some came by rickshaws while some by whatever means they could afford.
“I have been attending the Akheri Munajat for the past three years. I only come on the final day since women’s participation in the congregation is restricted,” said Josna, who came to attend the prayer from Savar.
Many, failing to get through the thick crowds on the 160-acre venue, attended the prayer from the roofs of vehicles and boats and buildings surrounding the area. Those who could not get near the venue also had the opportunity to listen to the supplications in their cell phones and electronic devices.
The president and the prime minister also participated in the prayer from the Bangabhaban and Gano Bhaban respectively. BNP Chief Khaleda Zia joined the prayer, sitting on the roof of a nearby factory.
The garment factories in the Tongi and Gazipur areas remained closed on the day in order for the thousands of workers to join the prayer. Besides, many private organisations, schools and colleges also remained shut for the same reason, said Nurul Islam, district commissioner of Gazipur.
Prior to the inception of the prayer, there were sermons delivered for the previous two days, starting after Fajr prayer.
Muslims from 32 districts in the country and over 22,000 from outside have participated in the first phase of this year’s congregation. Devotees from the remaining 32 districts will participate in the second phase beginning on January 31.
Mohammad Shhahid, who came to the venue from Jatrabari, said: “Though I was suffering from cold-related diseases, I could not stop myself from joining in the prayer. It is an amazing feeling to be part of a prayer joined by lakhs of Muslims at once.”
According to sources, around 5,000 devotees who participated in the first phase of Ijtema would travel around the country to spread the universal messages of Islam. More are likely to join them after the second phase.
However, this year, the holy gathering was somewhat marred by the deaths of nine individuals who died of old age complications and cold-related diseases. Three of them who died yesterday were identified as Shiraj Mia, 50, Samir Uddin, 75, and Kashem Ali, 57, said Shah Alam Sharif, the civil surgeon of Gazipur.