Akheri Munajat today, 3 Ijtema devotees die

Three more devotees died on Saturday, the second day today of the second phase of 50th Biswa Ijtema, the world's second largest congregation of Muslims after the holy hajj, that began on Friday on the bank of the Turag River in Tongi of Gazipur district, reports BSS.

The deaths were reported ahead of the Akheri Munajat, the concluding session of the Ijtema, scheduled to be held this morning (today) seeking blessings for the Muslim Ummah and the world peace.

Ajim Hawlader, 64, son of Motlab Hawlader alias Rohom Ali Hawlader of Motlab Thana died at 4am, Golam Azam Khan,55, son of late Bador Uddin Khan of Nilphamari died at 8 am and Bashir Mia, 55, son of Dorbesh Ali, of Juri Thana of Moulovibazar died at 10 am.

Organisers said overnight rains caused immense sufferings to devotees of the second phase on the Ijtema ground. The rainfall and subsequently muddy field largely affected the holding of Magreb prayer.

Senior Murubbi (Islamic scholar) of Tablig Jamaat Maulana Mohammad Sa'ad of Delhi will conduct the akheri munajat (concluding prayer).

Meanwhile, at least five thousand devotees took first aid from the medical centres.

Talking about overall security measures at the Ijtema ground, Harun-ur-Rashid, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Gazipur district, said that five-tier security measures were taken on the Ijtema ground.

A total of 140 mass-wedding took place till Saturday in this phase. Maulana Israfil, son of late Maulana Jubair Ahmed, conducted the mass marriage ceremony.