2nd phase of Biswa Ijtema underway
The second phase of Biswa Ijtema is continuing today in Tongi area on the outskirts of Dhaka.
The three-day Ijtema, the second largest congregation of the Muslims after the hajj, began on the bank of the Turag River after Fazr prayers yesterday.
A few lakh devotees from home and abroad have been attending the congregation being held in two phases.
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.
Special measures have been taken to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity during the event.
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 (Sunday).
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 were being 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.
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.