First phase of Biswa Ijtema begins Friday

The first phase of the Biswa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of Muslims after Hajj, will begin on Friday in Tongi.

The two-day first phase will take place at the Ijtema ground in Tongi on January 10-12 while the second phase of Ijtema will be held from January 17-19.

Devotees from home and abroad thronged the Ijtema ground to attend the three-day congregation.

Maulana Zubair, who leads one of the factions, is set to administer the first three days of the Ijtema and will conduct the Akheri Munajat on Sunday.

Indian preacher Maulana Saad Kandhalvi will supervise the second phase and conduct the Akheri Munajat.

Meanwhile, watchtowers and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras were set up at the venue to ensure security, said Gazipur City Corporation Police COmmissioner Anwar Hossain.

Vehicular movement near the Ijtema ground would be limited till the end of the congregation, he said, adding that beside security measures, adequate number of traffic police has been deployed for a hassle-free journey of the devotees.

Tabligh Jamaat has been organising the congregation at the venue since 1967. 

In 2011, Tabligh split the Ijtema into two phases, dividing the participation of the people of 64 districts, to reduce pressure on the venue and ensure better management.