FROM IJTEMA GROUND, TONGI: Lakhs of people participated in the Akheri Munajat, final prayer, of the first phase of 49th Biswa Ijtema, second largest religious congregation for Muslims around the globe, in Tongi, near Dhaka on Sunday.

The munajat, conducted by Maulana Zubayerul Hasan from Delhi, started at 12:54pm and ended at 1:16pm.

He prayed for peace and prosperity of Muslims around the globe as well as Bangladesh.

Thousands of people from around the country joined the Ijtema.

Some 160 acres area of Ijtema ground was extended to around 10 km area.

Crème de la crème BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, cabinet members and embassy members of various Muslim Missions to Bangladesh joined in the Akheri Munajat through special management.

Sources said including President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, president of Jatiya Party HM Ershad, also special envoy to the Prime Minister, also took part in the Akheri Munajat through video conference.

Besides, some 35,000 foreigners from around 140 countries joined in the Ijtema.

Some 15,000 law enforcers were deployed in the Ijtema ground to ensure security of the pilgrims, said police superintendent of Gazipur Abdul Baten PPM.

Special train, bus and launch services were initiated in this connection, reported banglanews correspondent.

The second phase of the Ijtema will be held from January 31 to February 2.

BDST: 1328 HRS, JAN 26, 2014