7 dies so far at first phase of Ijtema

Due to old age complications, four more devotees died at the 56th Bishwa Ijtema in Tongi between Friday night and Saturday morning – taking the tally of death in the second largest congregation of Muslims to seven.

Jisanul Haque, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police, confirmed the development on Saturday.

So far the deceased of first phase of Ijtema which resumed after two years, were identified as:

Abu Taiab alias Abu Taleb, 90, a hailer of Gazipur district,

Mofazzel Hossain Khan, 70, son of Mobark Hossain of Dumuria upazila in Khulna district,

Abdur Razzak, 70, son of Abdul Rashid of Chattogram district,

Habibur Rahman Hobi, 70, son of Rahmatullah of Narsingdi district.

Habibullah Habi, 68, of Keraniganj upazila in Dhaka,

Nurul Haque, 63, son of Fazlul Haque of Jointapur in Sylhet district, and

Akkas Ali Shikdar, 50, son of Adil Uddin Shikdar of Munshiganj district.

Ijtema is started holding in two phases from 2012 to ease the accommodation issues.

Ijtema begins after 2yrs

Sunday will be marked by the conclusion of Ijtema’s first phase with Akheri Munajat (final prayers).

The same location, the banks of the Turag River in Tongi, will host the second phase of Ijtema between January 20 and 22.