First-phase Biswa Ijtema ends seeking divine blessings

The first phase of three-day Biswa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of Muslims after Hajj, has ended here on Sunday seeking divine blessings through the Akheri Munajat (final prayer).

Maulana Jubair Hassan, Bangladeshi leader of Tabligh Jamaat, conducted the final prayer between 11: 15 am and 11:46 am.

The Ijtema began on the banks of the Turag River in Tongi after Fazr prayers on Friday with "a'm bayan" (general sermons) by Pakistani Islamic scholar Maulana Obaidul Khorshed.

Thousands of local and foreign devotees took part in the religious event to seek divine blessings of the Almighty Allah.

Meanwhile, 11 devotees have so far died due to old-age complications at the Ijtema venue.