Three million Muslims pray in Bangla religious congregation

Dhaka, Feb 1 (PTI) The world's largest Muslim congregation after the Haj came to an end in Bangladesh Sunday with an estimated three million faithful joining the special prayers for global peace led by an Indian cleric.

President Iajuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
and opposition leader Khaleda Zia joined the "akheri munajat"
or concluding prayers of the three-day "Bishwa Ijtema", amid
tight security.

Some three million Muslims joined the prayers, seeking
divine blessings for spread of Islamic ideals and global
peace, on the banks of the River Turag at suburban Tongi.

Organisers said nearly 10,000 foreign Muslims from some
90 countries attended the annual meet which is being held in
Bangladesh since early 1960 under the auspices of New
Delhi-based Tablig Jamaat.

Its senior leader Zobairul Hossain conducted the
concluding prayers.

Elite Anti-Crime Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) troops
hovered over in helicopters over the congregation ground where
makeshift camps were erected under a huge canopy to
accommodate the devotees.

Bangladesh authorities earlier ordered the helicopter
patrols and close circuit television monitoring as part of
anti-terrorist vigil ahead of 'Bishwa Ijtema'.

Security officials had designed the three-tier security
system mobilising 7,500 law enforcers for the meet. PTI AR