The Akheri Munajat, seeking spiritual well-being and welfare of the Muslim Ummah, of the first phase of three-day Biswa Ijtema, the second largest Muslim congregation after the Hajj, ended this morning.

Noted Indian scholar Mawlana Muhammad Saad conducted the munajat, reports our Gazipur correspondent.

Religious scholars from home and abroad delivered sermons on the Islamic philosophy in the light of the holy Quran and Hadith.

A physically challenged man participates in the Akheri Munajat of Biswa Ijtema on Sunday, January 10, 2016. Photo: Palash Khan

Additional security measures have been put in place today. Around 12,000 uniformed and plainclothes police, Rab and intelligence agencies' members are deployed in and around the Ijtema ground to avert any untoward situation.

The second phase will start on 15th January and conclude on 17th January with the Akheri Munajat. For the first time, the Ijtema is being held in four phases in two years.

Devotees are returning to their homes from the Turag river at Tongi, Gazipur after participating in Akheri Munajat of the first phase of Biswa Ijtema on Sunday, January 10, 2015. Photo: Palash Khan

Tablighi Jamaat has been organising Biswa Ijtema, also called the World Muslims' Congregation, every year since 1946. In 2011, the organisers had split the congregation into two phases to deal with overcrowding, ensure better management and security.