M M Jasim :Thousands of devotees who thronged the bank of River Turag on Friday to participate in the 2nd phase of three-day Ijtema continued their prayers on the 2nd day defying sudden rain and chilly weather. The second phase of the Bishwa Ijtema ends today (Sunday) through Akheri Munajat (concluding prayers). The devotees, however, suffered as light drizzle started in the wee hours of Saturday, the 2nd day of the 2nd phase of Ijtema. A vast portion of Ijtema venue was badly affected by the rain. Abul Quasem, one of the organizers, said that the volunteers of the Ijtema tried to manage the situation instantly. They provided water-protected bags among the devotees, he said. The second day’s programme started with the delivery of sermons, prayers and welfare of the Muslim Ummah, and recitation from the holy Quran and Hadith.Maulana Saykot from India delivered sermons after Fajr prayers and Maulana Nurur Rahman from Bangladesh translated those in Bengali. Islami scholars delivered sermons on various aspects of Islam throughout the second day of the three-day of the Ijtema.Meanwhile, one more devotees so far died at the Ijtema venue. The deceased identified as Ali Azim Hawlader, 64, came from Barisal.Like the previous years, a dowry-free mass wedding ceremony was held yesterday after the Asr prayers.Muslim devotees from 32 districts of the country and 5,000 foreign nationals from 50 countries are participating in the second phase of the Ijtema, sources at the district Special Branch said.Special security measures have been taken to ensure security of the devotees. A larger contingent with members from various law enforcement agencies has been deployed in and around the Ijtema ground.Several watch towers have been erected at the entrances to the Ijtema ground.Harun-or-Rashid, Police Superintendent of Gazipur, said that the law and order situation was good. The law enforcers were keeping watch on the surrounding area round the clock. Many devotees crowded the free medical camps yesterday. Besides, 30 devotees were undergoing treatment at Tongi General Hospital while some others were shifted to different hospitals in the capital, hospital sources said.
