ZCZC
BSS-32
BISWA-IJTEMA-SECOND
2nd phase of Biswa Ijtema begins at Tongi
GAZIPUR, Jan 17, 2020 (BSS) – The second phase of 55th Biswa Ijtema, one of the largest Muslim congregations in the world, began today on the bank of the Turag River at Tongi, on the outskirts of the capital.
The second phase that began through ‘aam bayan’ (general sermon) with the followers of Maulana Saad Kandhalvi after Fajr prayers today will end through ‘Akheri Munajat’ on January 19 (Sunday).
The Jumma prayer was conducted by Maulana Mosharraf Hossain of Bangladesh today, attended by thousands of Muslim devotees.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huque, Gazipur City Corporation Mayor Md Jahangir Alam, Deputy Commissioner SM Tariqul Islam and Police Commissioner Anwar Hossain attended the Juma prayers.
A five-tier security measure has been taken for the event. Members of different law enforcement agencies have been deployed in and around the Ijtema ground for ensuring security of the devotees.
The first phase of the Biswa Ijtema was held at the same venue on January 10-12.
Earlier, Gazipur district administration and other relevant authorities completed all preparations for the Ijtema.
Thousands of devotees from home and abroad have congregated on the bank of the Turag River to take part in the religious event and seek blessings of the Almighty Allah.
Tabligh Jamaat has been organizing the Ijtema at the venue since 1967.
However, the Ijtema is held in two phases since 2011 to ease the accommodation and transportation problems.
Several health centres have been set up at different parts of the venue along with first aid and other treatment facilities to provide health care services to the devotees.
Special measures have also been taken to ensure uninterrupted power supply and water supply during the three-day Ijtema.
Three people died during the ongoing Ijtema event while one passed away due to old-age complications last night (Thursday). The deceased was Kazi Alauddin,66, son of Hazrat Ali hailed from Chanpur village under Laxmipur upazila of Sunamganj district.
Besides, two Ijtema-bound Muslim devotees were killed in separate road accidents.
The deceased were: Suruj Miah, 60, hailing from Belab thana of Narsingdi district and Golzar, 40, a resident of Phulchori thana of Gaibandha district.
BSS/CORR/SRH/KU/1940 HRS