First phase of Biswa Ijtema begins, six die

GAZIPUR, Feb 2 (UNB): The first phase of the 57th Biswa Ijtema began on Friday after the Fazr prayer along the banks of the Turag River in Tongi of Gazipur.

Maulana Ahmad Buttullah of Pakistan gave the opening sermon (Ambayan) at the congregation.

The Tabligh Jamaat-organised event, the second-largest Muslim congregation globally, is being simultaneously translated into Bengali by the country's Maulana Nurur Rahman.

Amidst various challenges, including cold and rain, hundreds of thousands of Muslim devotees have gathered from around the world at Ijtema grounds. The first phase of this year's Ijtema, will conclude with the final supplication on Sunday.

The second phase of the Ijtema will commence on February 9.

People from various countries, including India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Europe, America, and Africa, have gathered for the Ijtema.

To maintain safety and law and order in and around the Ijtema ground, thousands of police personnel have been deployed. In addition to the police, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) is also active. The situation is being monitored from a watchtower.

Meanwhile, a total of six participants died on the Biswa Ijtema ground since Wednesday till Friday morning.

Among them, three participants died on Friday morning. They were Md Matiur Rahman (55), Md Ekhlas Mia (70), Md Sahalam (60).

Matiur Rahman was from Jamalpur Sadar thana, Md Ekhlas Mia was from Netrokona district. Md Sahalam was from Bhola district.

The three died due to old age-related complications, cardiac arrest, and breathing problems.

Gazipur Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Md Ibrahim Khan confirmed the matter. Earlier, three participants died on Thursday and Wednesday. They were Yunus Mia (60), Jaman (40), and Abdus Sattar (70).

Among them, Yunus Mia was from Brahmanbaria district's Sarail Thana, Jaman was from Chapainawabganj district, and Abdus Sattar was from Netrokona district.

All three died due to old age-related causes and cardiac arrest. Abdus Sattar passed away on Thursday, and the other two died on Wednesday.