Thousands converge on the bank of Turag

Streams of people head towards Tongi to attend the Biswa Ijtema, world's second largest Muslim congregation after Hajj, scheduled to begin today on the bank of the Turag River.

The Ijtema ground on the eastern bank of river Turag in Tongi has already been turned into a place of pilgrimage. Hundreds of thousands of people from home and abroad attended Juma prayers there yesterday.

A big canopy was erected on more than 165 acres of land to accommodate the devotees. But a large number of devotees attended the Juma prayers outside it due to dearth of space. Many devotees also camped outside the canopy.

Hundreds of buses, a good number of special trains and motor launches are carrying pilgrims from different parts of the country.

Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad and some government high officials also joined the Juma prayers. Moulana Saad of Delhi delivered Khutba and led the prayers.

A large number of foreign delegates from 45 countries have also arrived at the Ijtema ground. The organisers could not say the exact number of foreign participants. But one organiser said that the number would be around 3,000.

The organisers hope that the gathering would hit new high as the whole area has already turned into a sea of humanity.

Local administration took adequate measures for maintaining law and order and traffic in the area. A large number of police personnel were deployed around the Ijtema ground.

A Large number of makeshift shops were also set up in and around the Ijtema ground. Many social and religious organisations set up temporary medical camp for providing emergency treatment to the devotees.

The 50-bed hospital at Tongi also kept special beds reserved for the devotees and arranged additional medical facilities.

President Shahabuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition in parliament Khaleda Zia sent separate messages wishing every success of the Ijtema.