Biswa Ijtema’s first phase enters 2nd day

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

The first phase of Bishwa Ijtema began after Fazr prayers on Friday with the ‘Aam Boyan (religious sermon) by Islamic scholars and prayers and it will end with Akheri Munajat on Sunday, 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.

Moreover, thousands of Muslims attended the Juma prayers at the Ijtema venue and its adjacent areas yesterday.

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.

The City Corporation has erected 13 gates at the entrances of the Ijtema ground to welcome the foreign devotees.

An eight-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 second phase of the Tongi Ijtema will begin on January 19 at the same venue and it is scheduled to end with Akheri Munajat (final prayers) on January 21.

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 13, 2018/Hasmot/Mukul