Pakistan’s welfare sought in mass prayers near Dhaka

DHAKA: A large number of Muslim devotees from Pakistan on Sunday joined mass prayers at the concluding session of the three-day 45th Biswa Ijtema (world congregation), seeking Pakistan’s stability and welfare.

Nearly two million devotees attended the 18-minute prayer along the banks of the Turag River north of Dhaka. Maulana Jubayerul Hassan of India led the concluding mass prayers also seeking global peace and prosperity and divine blessings for Muslims.

An estimated 10,000 foreign devotees from 82 countries including Pakistan attended the congregation this year. Bangladesh President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid and opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia attended the prayers.

This year, a record 10,500 foreign devotees joined the congregation, considered the second-largest congregation of Muslims after the annual haj in Saudi Arabia.

Special security measures had been taken to ensure safety of the people. Hasan Arif from Karachi told APP that Bangladesh deserved praise for holding such a huge congregation. app

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan