The first phase of three-day Bishwa Ijtema, one of the biggest congregations of Muslims in the world, ended in Tongi of Gazipur through seeking divine forgiveness and blessings for peace and prosperity of the Muslim Ummah during the Akheri Munajat (final prayers).

The Akheri Munajat began around 10am on Sunday (January 15).

Maulana Hafez Zobair Ahmad, Bangladeshi leader of a faction of Tabligh Jamaat, conducted the Akheri Munajat. His followers took part in the first phase.

Thousands of Muslim devotees raised their hands seeking divine forgiveness and blessings for peace and prosperity of the Muslim Ummah.

The three-day congregation began on the bank of the Turag river after Fajr prayers on Friday (January 13) with sermons delivered by noted Islamic scholar Maulana Ziaul Haque of Pakistan.

Devotees from different parts of the country came to the Ijtema venue in Tongi by buses, trucks, boats, trawlers and on foot.

The first phase of Ijtema ended today (Sunday) with Akheri Munajat (final prayers).

Ijtema is being held in two phases from 2012 to ease accommodation issues.

The second phase of Ijtema is scheduled to be held on January 20-22 at the same place.