UNB, Gazipur :
The second phase of Biswa Ijtema, one of the largest congregation of Muslims across the world, will be concluded on Sunday with the offering of Akheri Munajat.
Eminent Islamic scholar of India Moulana Muhammad Sa’ad is likely to conduct the Munajat which will start around 10:30am.
Meanwhile, thousands of devotees from different places of the country have already reached the Ijtema venue on the bank of the Turag river to take part in Akheri Munajat while some thousands are on the way.
Bangladesh Railway is set to operate 28 special trains in different routes while BRTC will offer special bus service including 30 shuttle buses so that devotees can go to the Ijtema venue without any hassle, said Gazipur police super Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid on Saturday noon.
Security measures in and around of the Ijtema ground has been beefed up in order to ward off any untoward incident, he added.
More than eight thousand security personnel of several law enforcing agencies including Police, Rab and plainclothes detectives have been posted at the venue.
Observation towers were set up to watch public movement while close circuit cameras have been installed at 17 entrances to the venue. Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Hoque visited the Ijtema venue on Saturday to inspect the security measures.
Local administration has imposed a ban on the vehicular movement from Saturday midnight to Sunday afternoon at several points, including Tongi-Chandana Chourasta, Tongi-Mirer Bazar and Tongi-Ashulia, in order to avoid traffic congestion.
Meanwhile, a mobile court on Saturday sentenced 35 business establishments around the Ijtema ground Tk 1.96 lakh for selling adulterated and low-quality food items.
The second day of the three-day congregation began on the bank of the Turag River after Fazr prayers on Saturday.
Maulana Mohammad Khorshed of India delivered sermons after Fazr prayers while Maulana Sakib Hossain of Bangladesh translated those into Bangla.
Earlier, the first spell of the Biswa Ijtema, organised by Tabligh Jamaat, was held on January 8-10.
