Pilgrims are returning home in trucks and pickups due to public transport crisis

The 1st phase of this year's Vishwa Ijtema ended today with the last prayer. On Sunday (January 15) morning, after prayers, the devout worshipers began to return home in groups from the Ijtema Maidan.

After the last prayer, they came to Gabtali bus stand in various ways including pickup vans, buses, trucks. Even after waiting for a long time, many people came to Gabtali on foot as they could not find vehicles. Businessman Harun Miah came from Rangpur to the World Ijtema last Wednesday. He arrived at Gabtali in a pickup van after walking 6 kilometers from Tongi Ijtema Maidan on Sunday.

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He said, after praying, we walked for more than 6 kilometers. After that we reached Gabtali bus stand by 1 pickup van for 70 taka. He said that Gabtali will go to the bus stand and head towards the village house. Truck driver Nazmul said that 100 taka per person is being taken from Ijtema to Mohammadpur. Some said that they are giving less than this.

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Ismail Miah joined the Ijtema last Thursday. After the final prayer, he walked to Gabtali. As no transport was available, six of them succumbed and reached Gabtali on foot. Ismail Hossain said, I could not get on the bus or pickup van even after waiting for 30 minutes. Walk up to Gabtali. I have a relative's house in Dhaka, I will leave there from today to tomorrow.

On the surface, it has been observed in different areas of Mirpur that many worshipers are returning in groups after the final prayer of the 1st stage of Jagat Ijtema. Many people were seen returning in various ways including cargo trucks, pickups, buses, tempos, motorcycles, private cars, rickshaws. However, most of the worshipers are returning home by hiring pickup vans in groups. Meanwhile, a kind of self-satisfaction was observed in their eyes and faces. Some reached Gabtali by crossing the block in various ways without getting a vehicle.

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Sunday (January 15) Akheri Monajat was held between 10:30 am and 11:30 pm. And with this, the first phase of the 56th World Ijtema organized by Tabligh Jamaat ended. The prayer is held from the prayer platform specially placed on the eastern side of the foreigner's residence in the Ijtema Maidan.