DHAKA: The Akheri Munajat of the first phase of Bishwa Ijtema began on Sunday morning seeking spiritual blessing and welfare of the Muslim Ummah, on the bank of river Turag in Tongi, outskirt of Dhaka city.

Indian Islamic scholar Mawlana Saad is conducting the Munajat at11:20am.

Thousands of people from 32 districts and 5,000 foreign devotees from 51 countries and outside the venue are participating in the munajat on the Ijtema ground, to attend the congregation which began Friday dawn, amid a non-stop countrywide blockade enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.

However, the 50th congregation of the Biswa Ijtema began with religious sermons by Maulana Ismail Hossain after the Fajr prayers.

Law enforcement agencies took a five-tire security measures in and around the venue of Biswa Ijtema.  More than 10,000 members of the RAB, police forces have been deployed to ensure security of devotees.

On the other hand, the second phase of Ijtema will be held from January 16 to 18.

BDST: 1128 HRS, JAN 11, 2014