First phase of Bishwa Ijtema begins 13 Jan

Staff Reporter :
The first phase of the Bishwa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of the Muslims, will begin on the bank of the Turag River at Tongi, on the outskirts of the city on 13 January.
Ahead of the congregation, the devotees have started gathering at the Ijtema ground. It was seen that the Ijtema participants are coming by bus, track and pick up van. There is one day only before the start of the Bishwa Ijtema.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun has visited the Ijtema ground saying that adequate measures have been taken to ensure foolproof security for local and foreign devotees arriving at the Biswa Ijtema ground.
Abdullah Al-Mamun said this while talking to
reporters after visiting the Ijtema ground at Tongi in Gazipur on Wednesday.
The law enforcement forces will also ensure security using helicopter, watch tower, dog squad and CCTV cameras, he added.
The government has taken all-out preparations to ensure smooth holding of Biswa Ijtema in two phases.
Additional Inspector General of Poilce (Operations) Atiqul Islam, Additional Inspector General of Poilce (Special Branch) Md Monirul Islam, Inspector General of Poilce (Tourist Police) Habibur Rahman and Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Molla Nazrul Islam were present.
The first phase of the Ijtema will begin with ‘Aam Bayan’ (general sermons) by noted scholars after Fazr prayers on the day that will end with Akheri Munajat (final prayers) on 15 January.
The second phase of the Ijtema, however, will begin on 20 January at the same venue and it is scheduled to end with Akheri Munajat on 22 January.
On the occasion, the Islamic Foundation on Tuesday issued directives for holding the Ijtema successfully, keeping intact the law and order, religious and social harmony as well as upholding the country’s image before the foreigners, who will join the congregation.
In the directives, the Islamic Foundation urged the officials concerned to take measures for conducting a regular campaign at all the mosques across the country so that everyone should refrain from making any propaganda and provocative remarks and activities during the Ijtema.
The Islamic Foundation asked the authorities concerned for conducting the campaign through pre-Khutba sermons before Juma prayers as well as before and after the five times prayers at all mosques using the mosque loudspeakers.