The second phase of the 58th Bishwa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of the Muslims, began on the bank of the Turag River at Tongi on Friday (Feb 14). The Ijtema began with 'Aam Bayan' (general sermons) by noted Islamic scholars after Fazr prayers and will end with Akheri Munajat (final prayers) on Feb 16, said Mohammad Sayem, media coordinator for Saad followers.
The second phase Ijtema began with a general sermon delivered by Maulana Abdus Sattar of Nizamuddin Markaz after Fajr prayers, he added.
Followers of Maulana Saad participated in this phase. Besides, lakhs of Muslims from Dhaka, Gazipur and Savar and surrounding areas have joined the Jummah prayer on the venue, he said.
The Jummah prayers began at 1:50 p.m. and ended at 1:55 p.m., said Sayem, adding that Maulana Yusuf bin Saad Kandhalvi, eldest son of Maulana Saad from India, led the Jummah prayer at the Ijtema Maidan.
So far, 1,500 foreign devotees from 47 countries have come to the ground to join the Bishwa Ijtema, he said.
The government has taken adequate security measures ahead of the second phase of Bishwa Ijtema. The security management of the Ijtema Maidan is being monitored through close circuit (CC) cameras, watch towers and from rooftops while adequate number of police personnel was deployed.
Intelligence agencies in plain clothes are on duty in every Khitta along with specialized teams, according to law enforcement sources.
Many pilgrims from different countries of the world, including Bangladesh started pouring into the Ijtema venue from Thursday.
The district administration on Feb 9 handed over the Tongi Ijtema ground to the followers of Maulana Saad Kandhalvi for holding the second phase of the Bishwa Ijtema, said Mohammad Sayem, media coordinator for Saad followers today.
Since the holy Shab-e-Barat has fallen tonight, thousands of devotees are participating in the Ijtema Maidan to observe the night of fortune, said Mohammad Sayem.
The 'Bayan Mancha' has been set up for domestic and foreign devotees in the northwest of the Ijtema ground, he said, adding that special accommodation has been arranged for foreigners on the west side of the Bayan Mancha.
He said that the Army and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) have constructed a floating bridge over the Turag River for smooth movement of the devotees.
