2nd phase Ijtema continues with delivery of sermons

Muslims take up nearly every available space on Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway, including the tops of vehicles, at Tongi, Gazipur while offering Jumma prayers Friday, the beginning of Biswa Ijtema's second phase. Photo: STAR

The second phase of Biswa Ijtema, the largest congregation of the Muslims after the hajj, is continuing today with sermons being delivered at Tongi on the capital’s outskirt, amid countrywide non-stop transport blockade enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.

The three-day second phase of Biswa Ijtema began on the bank of Turag river at Tongi after the Fazr prayers with religious sermons delivered by Maulana Ismail Hossain of India yesterday.

Several lakh Muslim devotees, both from home and abroad, are converging on the congregation venue and attending the prayers with reciting the name of Allah and hearing the sermons braving all the sufferings and obstacles caused by the transport blockade.

Maulana Shawkat Hossain of India delivered sermons after Fajr prayers and Maulana Nurur Rahman of Bangladesh translated those in Bengali.

The second phase of Ijtema will end tomorrow with Akheri Munajat (final prayers).

As in the first phase one, a dowry- free mass wedding ceremony will be held today, where marriages of 50 couples will be solemnised.

Indian scholar Maulana Mohammad Sad will conduct the weddings after the Asr prayers.

Later, several lakh Muslims attended the Juma prayers at the Ijtema venue.

Leading Islamic scholars from India, Pakistan, Turkey, Malaysia and Iran delivered sermons on six basic principles of the Tabligh Jamaat on the first day.

The sermons, delivered in various languages, were translated into Bangla for the devotees.

Muslim devotees from 32 districts of the country and some devotees from Dhaka district are participating in the second phase Ijtema.

Four devotees have died so far due to various ailments on the Ijtema ground since Thursday.

A larger number of troops from various law enforcement agencies remained deployed at Tongi to ensure foolproof security to the devotees at the Ijtema.

Several watchtowers have been installed at the entrances to the Ijtema venue.

Besides, a good number of close circuit cameras and a control room have been set up for providing healthcare services to the devotees.

Earlier, the first phase of the three-day Biswa Ijtema, organised by Tabligh Jamaat since 1946, was held on January 9-11.

The Ijtema is being held in two phases from 2012 to ease accommodation problem.