2nd phase of Bishwa Ijtema begins
Special Correspondent :
The second phase of the 57th Bishwa Ijtema, the world’s second-largest Muslim congregation, commenced on the banks of the Turag River in Tongi after Fajr prayers on Friday.
This three-day event attracted millions of Muslim devotees from across the country.
Tragically, six attendees have passed away at the venue due to complications related to old age.
The largest Jummah prayer of the event was conducted at the Ijtema ground on its opening day. Devotees from the vicinity of the Ijtema site, including the capital city of Dhaka, converged on the bank of the Turag river since the early hours to participate in the Jummah prayer.
This year’s second phase of the Bishwa Ijtema commenced with a primary sermon (Aam Bayan) delivered by Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Bin Saad Kandhlawi from India, with Maulana Munir Bin Yusuf providing the Bangla translation.
The grand Jummah prayers, led by Maulana Yusuf Bin Saad Kandhlawi, the elder son of Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Bin Saad Kandhlawi, were held at 1:45 pm.
Before the Jummah prayers, Maulana Ilyas delivered a sermon on Talim after 10:00 am.
The Ijtema grounds, including all the open spaces around, were brimming with devotees by noon, transforming the area into a sea of worshippers.
Additionally, devotees also participated in the Friday prayers from the rooftops of various high-rise buildings in Tongi.
Worshippers from different districts began arriving at the Ijtema venue from Wednesday night, with over 6,000 foreign guests having joined the second phase of the Bishwa Ijtema by Friday.
According to Mohammad Sayem, the media coordinator of the second phase Bishwa Ijtema, participants from about 56 countries are in attendance.
Foreign guests from countries including India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Syria, Turkey, Afghanistan, the United Kingdom, and the United States have arrived, with foreign and domestic Muslim scholars engaging in sermons, Quran recitation, and prayers at the venue.
Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mahbub Alam reported that extensive security measures, similar to those of the first phase, have been implemented.
The entire Ijtema area is under a comprehensive security blanket, ensuring the safety of all attendees.
Gazipur district Deputy Commissioner Abul Fateh M Safiqul Islam mentioned that mobile courts are operational daily around the Ijtema venue, with the City Corporation and various voluntary organizations providing services to the devotees.
Maulana Munir Bin Yusuf delivered a sermon on Fazayel before the Jummah prayer, followed by a sermon from Maulana Sheikh Mufleh of Saudi Arabia, translated into Bangla by Maulana Sheikh Abdullah Mansur.
Post-Asar prayers saw a sermon from Maulana Mosharraf (Bangladesh), and Maulana Yusuf Bin Saad of India delivered a sermon after Magrib prayers, translated by Maulana Zia Bin Qasim.
As of Thursday night, the Ijtema has sadly seen the deaths of six individuals, mostly due to old age complications. The identities of four of the deceased have been confirmed, hailing from various regions across Bangladesh.
The event continues to be a significant spiritual gathering for Muslims worldwide, fostering a sense of unity and devotion among the global Muslim community.”
