Second day of 1st phase Ijtema underway

The second day of first phase of the 58th Biswa Ijtema at Tongi�s Turag is underway on Saturday, with lakh of muslim devotees engaged in prayers and religious activities.

The first phase of the Biswa Ijtema will conclude with the final prayer on February 2.

The sermon began after Fajr prayers, with discussions focusing on faith, actions, morality, and the Kalima in light of the Quran and Hadith.

According to Tabligh Jamaat Bangladesh�s Shura-e-Nizam (Media Coordinator) Habibullah Raihan, Maulana Khurshid Sahib of Pakistan has delivered the sermon, which was translated into Bangla by Maulana Obaidur Rahman.

Besides, Maulana Ibrahim Deula and Maulana Akbar Sharif will deliver sermons the whole day respectively.

Devotees from different parts of the country are still coming to the Ijtema venue on the banks of Turag River by buses, trucks, boats and on foot.

The first phase of Ijtema will end tomorrow (2 February) with Akheri Munajat (final prayers).

A mass wedding ceremony will be held today at the ground after Asr prayers.

Besides,a devotee, identified as Yeakub Ali from Habiganj district died at Ijtema venue. With this, three devotees died in the two days.

To ensure security of the devotees, thousands of law enforcers have been deployed in and around the Ijtema ground, along with in plainclothes.

Necessary arrangements, including sufficient water supply and healthcare, have been ensured.

Tabligh Jamaat has been organising the congregation at the venue since 1967. In 2011, the Ijtema was divided into two groups. 

Many people died in the conflict. However, after the government took action, they divided into two groups and held a 3-part Biswa Ijtema.

This year, the Ijtema, organized by Tabligh Jamat, will be held in three phases. The first phase, began on Friday, will be continued until February 2. The second phase is scheduled from February 3 to 5, while the third phase will take place from February 14 to 16.

Devotees from parts of Dhaka and 43 other districts will participate in the first phase, while devotees from the remaining parts of Dhaka and 21 other districts will attend the second phase.

Strict security measures have been taken in and around the Ijtema ground to ensure the safety of devotees.

The entire Ijtema ground and its surrounding areas have been brought under CCTV surveillance, with control rooms and security archways installed at all entry points to enhance security.

Regarding this, Sheikh Wahiduzzaman, a member of Paikgachha in Khulna, said, "There are no more problems among us. We are moving forward by working unitedly. Our number of members is large." This is why we are holding the Bishwa Ijtema in two phases. There is unity among us. And we are not pro-Zobaer.The media is wrongly framing the story about us. We are running under the supervision of Suraye Nizam. Maulana Mohibullah, a fellow from Fatikchhari, Chottagram, said, We are working freely with our colleagues. We are not facing any difficulties.