2nd phase of Biswa Ijtema begins
Devotees from home and abroad throng the second phase of Biswa Ijtema, the world's second largest Muslim gathering after Hajj, on the banks of the river Turag in Tongi yesterday. Photo: Focus Bangla
The second phase of Biswa Ijtema, the world's second largest Muslim gathering after Hajj, began yesterday on the banks of the river Turag in Tongi on the outskirts of the capital. Lakhs of devotees from home and abroad have joined the second phase with over 2000 devotees coming from different countries. The first day saw huge presence of devotees, as many people came only to join the Friday prayers. Maulana Qwari Zobayer, Imam of Kakrail mosque, led the Juma prayers. The vehicular movement from Abdullahpur to Gazipur Chowrasta (intersection) was halted for about one hour due to the prayers, as a huge number of devotees performed the prayers on the streets and many more on the roof of buses because of shortage of space. The second phase of the Ijtema began with the Boyan (sermons) of Moulana Ehsan of Tablig Jamaat of India after Fajr prayers yesterday. Meanwhile, an Afzal Hossian, 75, of Sunamganj died of cardiac arrest early Friday. His namaj-e-janaza was held just after the prayers where lakhs of people attended. The weather was good in the morning, but devotees had to suffer in afternoon drizzling. For the second time, the Ijtema is being held in two phases, which has been a three-day single-phase gathering since 1946. This year, the first phase took place on January 13-15, attended by devotees from 32 districts of the country. People from the rest of the districts are joining the second phase. The three-day second phase of the Ijtema includes boyans (sermons) on the fundamental issues of Tablig, prayers for the spiritual adulation, exaltation and welfare of the Muslims, recitation from the Quran and Hadith, and arrangements of dowry-free marriages. Though the Ijtema committee divided the Ijtama into two parts to reduce pressure, many devotees who attended the first phase also joined the second phase, making the size of the gathering almost the same as in the first phase, Amzad Hossain, a devotee of Tongi, said. Renowned local and foreign Muslim scholars will deliver their sermons after Fajr, Zohr, Asr, Maghrib, and Esha prayers during the three-day Ijtema. Dhaka Metropolitan Police sources said multi-tier security measures have been taken in and around the ground to avert any unpleasant incidents. Helicopters, speedboats, and pick-up vans will keep tabs on the area and fire Brigade cars and ambulances stand by for any emergency, the sources added. The DMP sources said around 10,000 security personnel from different agencies are to maintain law and order on the Ijtema ground. As in the first phase, law enforcement agencies have set up 11 watchtowers and check posts at every entrance, while several security cameras have been installed across the venue to monitor the Ijtema ground. Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation and Bangladesh Railway have arranged special bus and train services on the occasion to facilitate the movement of devotees. Different organisations are also giving free medical services at the Ijtema. It is expected that the number of devotees will increase during the Akheri Munajat (the concluding prayers) on Sunday. Though effective measures have been taken for smooth supply of water, the devotees suffered water shortage yesterday morning. Anowar Hossian, a devotee from Munshiganj, said he could not take a bath due to shortage of water. Many people including women were seen selling water for ablution of the devotees who came only to attend the Juma prayers. "I have been selling one jar of water at Tk 5, which I bought from another place by Tk 15 a pitcher", said Jahanara who earned Tk 500 in the Akheri Munajat of the first phase. President Zillur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, ministers, and political leaders joined the concluding prayers of the first phase.
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