Second phase of Biswa Ijtema begins today

The second phase of 53rd Biswa Ijtema has begun today with ‘Aam Bayan’ (general sermons) by noted scholars after Fajr prayers on the banks of the Turag at Tongi in Gazipur. 

Thousands of devotees from home and abroad have gathered to attend the second phase of the three-day Bishwa Ijtema for seeking divine blessings of Almighty Allah which will end with Akheri Munajat (final prayers) on Sunday.

The first phase of Bishwa Ijtema was held at the same venue on January 13-15.

The government has taken stringent security measures ahead of the second phase of Ijtema, the second largest congregation of the Muslim community after the holly hajj.

Necessary security measures have already been taken with deployment law enforcers Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), police and other law enforcement agencies in large numbers to ensure smooth holding of the second phase of Biswa Ijtema.

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

The first phase of Ijtema was held at Kakrail Mosque in Dhaka in 1946.

This was followed by a congregation at Chittagong Hajji Camp in 1958, then at Siddhirganj in Narayanganj. Since 1965, Bishwa Ijtema is being held at Tongi regularly.