KALADAN NEWS

Dated Tuesday December 30, 2003

Akheri Munajat (Last Prayer) of Ijtema(Religious gathering)

Chittagong, December 30: Million of peoples from home and abroad including top National Leaders of Bangladesh offered Akheri Munajat (concluding supplication) at the end of Biswa Ijtema (world religious gathering) at Dhaka yesterday, according to a participant of Ijtema.

Final prayer (Akheri Munajat) sought blessing for unity, continued peace, progress and prosperity of Muslim Ummah (people) and world community.

President, Prime Minister and opposition Leader of Bangladesh joined millions of devotees and offered a Munajat.

Maulana Zobair Hasan of Delhi led the Munajat that continued for 20 minutes starting from 12:45 pm. In this Munajat he sought blessing of Almighty Allah (God) for preservation and protection of the Muslims Ummah from all kinds of suffering and torture without specifying any nation or country. He also sought mental, spiritual and material development of all Muslims in the world.

Millions of devotees from 63 countries including Burma attended the Ijtema this year, considered the second largest congregation of the Muslims after Hajj, said a another participant

A large number of women also joined the Munajat from rooftop of nearby buildings and residential houses, factories at Uttara and Tongi.

Four more devotees died yesterday raising the toll to nine since Friday.

At least 90 couples were solemnized without dowry after Asr (4:00) pm prayers yesterday.