The second phase of three-day Bishwa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of Muslims after Hajj, ended in Tongi of Gazipur on Sunday through the Akheri Munajat (final prayers) on in the morning.

Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Kandhalvi, son of Maulana Muhammad Saad Al Kandhalvi, conducted the ‘Akheri Munajat’ started at 12:15 pm and continued till 12:45 pm.

As part of the rationalized traffic system, movement of vehicles remain suspended from 6 am this morning till the Akheri Munajat – from Bhogra Bypass to Addullahpur on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, Khamarpara Road, and Abdullahpur to Bypile on Ashulia Road.

The metro rail will run from 8 am to 5 pm today for smooth movement of the devotees.

The second phase of 56th Bishwa Ijtema began on Friday with "aam bayaan" (general sermons) after Fajr prayers with the participation of the followers of Indian Islamic preacher Maulana Muhammad Saad Al Kandhalvi.

Thousands of devotees raised their hands, seeking divine forgiveness and blessings for peace and prosperity of the Muslim ummah. They also prayed for the country’s welfare.

The first phase of the three-day Bishwa Ijtema ended on January 15.

Tabligh Jamaat has been organising the congregation in Tongi since 1967. In 2011, it divided Ijtema into two phases to accommodate a large number of attendees.