A train teems with people on their way back home after taking part in Biswa Ijtema at Tongi in Gazipur after akheri munajat on Sunday. — Sanaul Haque

The first phase three-day Bishwa Ijtema of the Tabligh Jamat ended on the bank of the River Turag on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka on Sunday with several million devotees from home and abroad seeking peace.
About five lakh people gathered at the places, even spilling over nto adjoining areas, on the last day of the event to take part in the final prayers (akheri munajat), conducted by Maulana Jobayerul Islam of Delhi.
The second phase of
Bishwa Ijtema will will be held at the same venue in January 18–20.
Maulana Jobayer sought divine blessings for the Muslims facing oppression the world over.
About 25,000 foreigners from at least 89 countries joined Ijtema this year. The foreigners along with thousand Bangladeshis will spread all over the country to preach Islam.
The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, the leader of the opposition in the parliament, Khaleda Zia, other political leaders and diplomats of Muslim countries in Dhaka attended the prayers.
Hasina joined the prayer in her residence, Gana Bhaban, as it was aired on television.
Khaleda reached the Ijtema ground about 11:38am. She listened to the sermons and joined the prayers sitting on the rooftop of Atlas Honda Factory at Tongi.
Maulana Jamir Uddin Sheikh of Bangladesh delivered the sermon after the fajr prayers on the day. Maulana Sa’ad of Delhi delivered the sermon till noon.
Islamic thinkers and Tabligh Jamaat leaders delivered sermons on iman, akhlaq, aml and dawat in the three days. The sermons were interpreted in different languages.
The Bangladesh Railway arranged special trains between Dhaka and Tongi, Tongi and Mymensingh and Tongi and Bhairab for people to join the event and get back home.