LAHORE, Nov 21: The four-day Tableeghi congregation ended on Sunday afternoon after grand prayers (dua) attended by about one million faithful.

No untoward incident occurred during the congregation as a large number of policemen remained vigilant to ensure law and order in the area.

Tens of thousands of people volunteered themselves to join thousands of the teams of preachers for disseminating the message of Islam within the country and abroad.

The teams formed during various sessions of the congregation will be dispatched to their destinations within the next couple of days after necessary preliminary training and instructions. Amir of Tableeghi Jamaat Maulana Zubairul Hassan offered his blessings to the preachers by shaking hands with them and praying for their success.

Ulema addressed various sessions during the three days calling upon the faithful to mould their lives in accordance with the Islamic way of life as practised by the companions of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).

They said the real success lay in following the teachings of Islam as enunciated by the Holy Quran and the Sunnah. Islam demands complete obedience of the faithful to life of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).

They warned that the mundane life was withering day by day like a melting ice block and if they failed to offer penance and follow the Islamic way of life they were doomed. The main address of the congregation was held after Isha prayers, which continued till before the midnight.

The ulema gave detailed instructions to the teams of preachers before offering the grand prayers (dua) at about 11.30a.m. On Sunday, police made elaborate arrangements to streamline the caravans of the people who dispersed and rushed carrying their bag and baggage to board their respective buses, wagons, vans, motorcars and two-wheelers.

All traffic from Lahore and other towns to Raiwind was closed about one hour before the grand prayers and remained closed throughout the day to ensure uninterrupted and smooth movement of the vehicles returning from the venue of the congregation.

A large number of people from Lahore and its suburbs reached the congregation to attend the grand prayers. VIPs, including the Tajikistan president, princes from the Kingdoms of Saudi Arabia and UAE, Pakistani politicians, assembly members and high government officers also attended the congregation on Sunday.

The Pakistan Railways and PIA made special arrangements for the people to carry them back to their destinations within the country and abroad. The railways ran special trains from Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, Multan and other places in this regard.

All other trains also stopped at the railway station of the small town to pick up the passengers. It had opened special booking offices at Raiwind and at the venue of the congregation.