The 69th edition of three-day annual Aalmi Tablighi Ijtema (World Islamic Congregation) concluded here on Monday at Ghasipura in Entkheri on the outskirts of the State capital with a grand 'Dua' (prayer) for the well-being of the community, prosperity of the nation and peace prosperity and harmony across the world.
About half an hour 'Dua' was conducted by renowned Islamic scholar Maulana Saad–ul– Hasan of Nizamuddin Markaz, New Delhi, in a mix of Arabic, Urdu and Hindi, who prayed particularly for those suffering from various diseases and asked devotees to follow the path shown by Prophet Mohammad. During the Dua there was complete silence for miles except for chanting of Amen by devotees, as the sea of devotees joined and raised hands to pray for peace, prosperity and harmony in the universe.
Earlier, before the ‘Dua’ Maulana Saad in his sermon urged Muslims to lead an upright life in this world so that they could be rewarded in the life hereafter. He stressed them to become messenger of peace so that humanity at large could benefit from them.
Over one and a half million people are estimated to have joined the ‘Dua’, the concluding prayers of the "Ijtema" this year, turning the site into a sea of humanity. Many people had to trek several kilometers to reach the site as vehicular traffic was not allowed to avoid congestion.
During the three day congregation renowned Islamic scholars delivered sermons on the life and practice of Prophet Mohammad and Islamic Shariat (law).
After the conclusion of ‘Dua’ hundreds of ‘Jamats’ (missionary groups) fanned out through the length and breadth of the country and abroad to sermonize their co-religionists, who have gone astray, to lead a life as ordained by Allah. They would be asked to follow the five tenets of Islam in the true sense of the word. They would work in the path of Allah for about one ‘Chilla’ (40 days) to three ‘Dua’ to persuade their Muslim brethren to strike a perfect balance between materialism and spirituality while leading their lives.
Notably, the first Ijtema was organized at Masjid Shakur Khan in the walled city in 1948. later, with increase in the number of devotees, the venue was shifted to one of the largest mosques in Asia, Taj-ul-Masajid. However, with passage of time, the devotees taking part in the Ijtema grew in numbers and eventually the venue has been shifted to the outskirts of Bhopal at Ghasipura in Eintkhedi village.