Biswa Ijtema’s 2nd phase enters 2nd day

Staff Correspondent, Gazipur: The second phase of 53rd Biswa Ijtema, one of the largest religious congregations of the Muslim world, entered second day on Saturday.

The second phase of the Ijtema began on Friday morning on the bank of the Turag River at Tongi on the outskirts of the city amid tight security.

The three-day Ijtema began with 'Aam Bayan' (general sermons) by noted scholars after Fazr prayers on Friday that will end with Akheri Munajat (final prayers) on January 21, seeking spiritual well-being and welfare of the Muslim Ummah.

Lakhs of Muslim devotees from home and aboard have thronged the Bishwa Ijtema.
After Fazr prayers on Saturday, Islamic scholars are delivering sermon.

On Friday, lakhs of pilgrims and a large number of people from the capital Dhaka and adjacent areas joined Jumma prayers on Biswa Ijtema ground.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal also attended the Jumma prayers.

Gazipur City Corporation, district administration, police, RAB and Ansar and VDP have set up five separate control rooms to monitor the overall activities of the Tongi Ijtema.

3.54 lakh gallons of fresh water is being supplied everyday through 18.50 kilometer pipelines from 13 deep tube-wells and 21 trucks are engaged in removing garbage from the Ijtema ground.

A seven-tier security measure has been taken with deployment of 7,000 policemen and about 250 RAB members to avert any untoward incident during the Ijtema.

According to the sources, 15 watch towers and 41 close circuit camera televisions have been set up in and around the Ijtema ground alongside deployment of bomb disposal units and dog squads to ensure foolproof security of the Biswa Ijtema.

Fifty medical teams and 14 ambulances are providing health care services to the devotees during the three-day congregation.

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

Tablig Jamaat has been organizing the Ijtema at this venue since 1967. However, the Ijtema is held in two phases since 2011 to ease the accommodation problem.



risingbd/Gazipur/Jan 20, 2018/Hasmot/Mukul