2nd phase of Ijtema begins
Prayers and sermons marked the first day of Biswa Ijtema, one of the largest congregations of the Muslims, as it opened on the bank of the Turag at Tongi yesterday after Fajr prayers.
A few lakh devotees from home and abroad have been attending the congregation being held in two phases. The bank of Turag -- 20km off the capital -- turned into a human sea as they assembled for Juma prayers in the afternoon.
Many devotees performed their Juma prayers on the roads or on the roof of buses.
The first phase of the Ijtema concluded with the Akheri Munajat (final prayers) on January 15, while the second phase would be concluded with Akheri Munajat tomorrow.
Tablig Jamaat has been organising the annual congregation, also called the World Muslims' Congregation, every year since 1946.
The three-day meet includes delivery of sermons on fundamental matters of Tablig, prayers for spiritual adulation, exaltation and welfare of the Muslim Ummah, and recitation from the holy Quran and Hadith.
Ulema and Islamic scholars from around the world are delivering lectures this year. The lectures would be interpreted in Bangla, English, Arabic and a few other languages.
As the Ijtema committee last year decided to hold the congregation in four phases in two years, devotees of 32 districts performed their Ijtema last year in two phases and rest 32 are taking part in two phases this year.
The districts taking part in the second phase are Dhaka, Meherpur, Lalmonirhat, Rajbari, Dinajpur, Habiganj, Munshiganj, Kishoreganj, Cox's Bazar, Noakhali, Bagerhat, Chandpur, Pabna, Naogaon, Kushtia, Barguna and Barisal.
In the first phase devotees from Dhaka, Tangail, Mymensingh, Joypurhat, Manikganj, Rangpur, Chapainawabganj, Brahmanbaria, Gazipur, Gopalganj, Shariatpur, Satkhira and Jessore took part.
Thousands of volunteers have meanwhile been working round the clock to ensure smooth running of the event. Security is high and around 12,000 personnel from different security agencies have been posted in and around the venue for the two phases.
Observation towers have been set up to monitor movements at the venue and closed-circuit television cameras are being used to ensure security.
Special measures have been taken to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity during the event.
Like the first phase, free medical services are being given by both the government and private agencies, while Bangladesh Railway and Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation have taken initiatives to provide special train and bus services for the devotees.