Hundreds of thousands of devotees flooded the sandy banks of the river Turag on Saturday to pray and listen to sermons in the second phase of the Biswa Ijtema.
Many more are still streaming into the ground on Saturday after the three-day gathering began on Friday.
The rush is expected to continue until Sunday when the second phase of the meet culminates through the Akheri Munajat or final prayer around noon.
The Biswa Ijtema, or the World Congregation of Muslims, is known as the second largest annual Islamic event after the Hajj.
The gathering will be hosting the ritualistic dowry-less weddings prior to the Asr prayers on Saturday. Indian scholar Zobayerul Hasan will conduct the marriage after the Asr prayers.
Couples, who have enlisted their names in the wedding register, would be married off through the traditional ceremony of the Tablig Jamaat, a non-political group that organises the gathering.
Muslims from 32 districts of Bangladesh and from foreign countries are taking part in the second phase of the congregation, which shuns politics and violence, but works for the revival of the Islamic tenets.
Dressed in traditional robes and prayer caps, huge columns of devotees from far-flung villages and towns in Bangladesh, as well as across the world, made way towards the gathering site on Friday, braving overcrowded buses and ferries, and enduring long delays and a dense fog.
Ijtema's appeal has grown largely over the years among those who cannot afford to go to Meccah for the Hajj.
The second phase began after a four-day gap on Jan 20. The first phase of the annual world gathering ended with Akheri Munajat on Jan 15.
Biswa Ijtema has been taking place in Bangladesh (then Bengal) since the 1960s when it used to take place at Dhaka's Kakrail mosque.
In 1948, it took place at the Haji Camp in Chittagong, and shifted to Narayanganj's Shiddhirganj in 1958. With a steady increase in the number of devotees attending, the Biswa Ijtema was shifted to the banks of Turag in Tongi in 1966 and has been taking place there since then.
DISTRICTS IN SECOND PHASE
Organisers have said that the Ijtema ground has been divided into 38 khitas or blocks marked for 32 districts for the second phase.
People from Narayanganj got blocks one and two, Dhaka – blocks three and four, Cox's Bazar – five, Manikganj – six, Jamalpur - seven Patuakhali – eight, Pirojpur – nine, Tangail – 10, Netrokona - 11, Barisal – 12, Jhenidah – 13, Meherpur – 14, Mymensingh – 15, 16 and 17, Comilla- 18, Laxmipur – 19, Brahmanbaria – 20, Kurigram – 21, Noakhali – 22, Nilphamari – 23, Thakurgaon – 24, Panchagarh – 25, Chapainawabganj – 26, Bogra – 27, Pabna – 28, Naogaon – 29, Munshiganj – 30 and 31, Madaripur-32, Gopalganj – 33, Satkhira – 34, Magura – 35, Khulna – 36, Sunamganj – 37 and Moulvibazar – 38.
SECURITY
Tongi has been covered with a multi-layer security blanket with the presence of police, elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Ansar and intelligence agencies. Law enforcers have divided the congregation venue and surrounding areas into five sectors.
RAB helicopters will hover over the venue and plain-clothed members of the elite force are also watching over each block.
River patrol teams started work on Thursday, patting down those entering the ground and watching from towers. Moreover, security personnel have mingled with the devotees in the blocks, dressed in white and wearing special caps.
RAB bomb squad members are also on the ground.
Gazipur police superintendent Abdul Baten earlier told that a total of 10,000 security personnel including RAB and police are working to ensure safety at the Ijtema ground. Overall security is being monitored with several RAB and police close circuit cameras.
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The first phase of Biswa Ijtema, or the World Congregation of Muslims,
concluded on Sunday seeking peace and revival of Islamic tenets.
The Akheri Munajat or final prayer was held in the afternoon.
One of the top clerics of Tablig Jamaat, Maulana Zobaerul Hasan of India, conducted the prayer.
The three-day gathering, which began on Friday, is considered as the second largest Islamic gathering after the Hajj. It has been held in two phases from last year.
The second phase of Biswa Ijtema will begin on Jan 20 and ends on Jan 22.
The bank of the river Turag turned into a sea of people as hundreds of thousands joined the final prayer on Sunday.
President Zillur Rahman took part in the final prayer.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina raised her hands to pray at her official residence Ganabhaban.
Opposition leader Khaleda Zia also joined the prayer while Jatiya Party chief Hussein Muhammad Ershad took part in the prayer from the main pavilion where the president sat.
Khaleda was stationed at the Honda (Atlas) factory rooftop pavilion. Leaders of her party accompanied her.
Organisers said around 17,000 foreigners joined Ijtema this year.
According to the Tablig Jamaat leaders, nine devotees died during the Ijtema.
Biswa Ijtema has been taking place since the 1960s when it used to take place at Dhaka's Kakrail mosque.
In 1948, it took place at the Haji Camp in Chittagong, and shifted to Narayanganj's Shiddhirganj in 1958.
With a steady increase in the number of devotees attending, Ijtema was shifted to the banks of Turag in Tongi in 1966 and has been taking place there since then.
The Akheri Munajat or final prayer was held in the afternoon.
One of the top clerics of Tablig Jamaat, Maulana Zobaerul Hasan of India, conducted the prayer.
The three-day gathering, which began on Friday, is considered as the second largest Islamic gathering after the Hajj. It has been held in two phases from last year.
The second phase of Biswa Ijtema will begin on Jan 20 and ends on Jan 22.
The bank of the river Turag turned into a sea of people as hundreds of thousands joined the final prayer on Sunday.
President Zillur Rahman took part in the final prayer.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina raised her hands to pray at her official residence Ganabhaban.
Opposition leader Khaleda Zia also joined the prayer while Jatiya Party chief Hussein Muhammad Ershad took part in the prayer from the main pavilion where the president sat.
Khaleda was stationed at the Honda (Atlas) factory rooftop pavilion. Leaders of her party accompanied her.
Organisers said around 17,000 foreigners joined Ijtema this year.
According to the Tablig Jamaat leaders, nine devotees died during the Ijtema.
Biswa Ijtema has been taking place since the 1960s when it used to take place at Dhaka's Kakrail mosque.
In 1948, it took place at the Haji Camp in Chittagong, and shifted to Narayanganj's Shiddhirganj in 1958.
With a steady increase in the number of devotees attending, Ijtema was shifted to the banks of Turag in Tongi in 1966 and has been taking place there since then.
Every year Biswa Ijtema held in Bangladesh. The annual Biswa Ijtema, billed as the largest annual Islamic event only
after the hajj pilgrimage, began on Friday at Tongi on the outskirts of
Dhaka amid tight security.
The World Congregation of Muslims, that shuns politics and is being held in two phases like the previous year, kicked off in the morning on the sandy bank of the Turag River.
The first phase will run through to Jan 15 and the second one from Jan 20 to Jan 22, during which the faithful pray and listen to religious scholars. It was launched by Tablig Jamaat, a non-political group that urges people to follow Islam in their daily lives.
Thousands of Muslims seeking peace and the revival of Islam's tenets joined the inaugural session begun after Fazr prayers with a lecture by Pakistani Hazi Abdul Wahab.
Huge columns of devotees began streaming towards the gathering site from dawn, braving overcrowded buses and ferries and endured long delays and dense fog.
Dressed in traditional robes and prayer caps, thousands, from far-flung villages and towns and across the world, started gathering at the ground even from Thursday. Ijtema's appeal has grown largely over the years among those who cannot afford to go to Makkah for the hajj.
Heavy security is in place to ensure safety. Junior home minister Shamsul Hoque Tuku has visited the Ijtema ground to see the security.
A large number of police, Ansar and RAB personnel have been deployed around the venue to ensure security of the devotees.
President Zillur Rahman and prime minister Sheikh Hasina have issued statements on this occasion.
The first phase will end with Sunday's Akheri Munajat or final prayer. Muslims of 32 districts are taking part in the first phase of this gathering.
The second phase will begin after a four day gap on Jan 20. On Jan 22, this annual world gathering would end with Akheri Munajat.
Biswa Ijtema has been taking place in Bangladesh (then Bengal) since the 1960s. At the beginning, it would take place at Dhaka's Kakrail mosque. Then, in 1948 it took place at Haji Camp in Chittagong and in 1958, it took place in Narayanganj's Shiddhirganj.
With increase in number of people attending it, in 1966, the Biswa Ijtema was held at the bank of Turag in Tongi. From then on, it has been taking place there.
The country's biggest Juma prayer was held on Friday, the first day of Biswa Ijtema. People have been gathering from all over the country to attend this congregation which is totally informal and is not presided over by anyone.
PRESIDENT, PM LAUD GATHERING
The president in his statement welcomed foreign guests and said, "This great congregation is playing an important role in spreading Islamic morals and the teachings of 'Sunnah' among the residents of the world.
"To enforce peace, unity, solidarity and brotherhood in the Muslim world, the Biswa Ijtema is really important. Everyone should be inspired by great Islamic ideals and devote themselves to the welfare of humanity."
The prime minister in her message said, "Through the foreign guests attending the Ijtema, our long cherished non-communal mentality, natural mildness, hospitality and tolerance will reach the world.
IJTEMA GROUND
One of the organisers, Mohammad Gias Uddin, said the 160-acre ground has been covered with canopy stretching more than a kilometre. Though cooking materials could not be managed for local Muslims, a separate tin-roofed area has been earmarked on the venue's north-west side with gas, electricity, telephone and other modern facilities for foreign devotees, he added.
The whole ground has been divided in 39 khitas or blocks marked for 64 districts in the first phase and 38 khitas in the second.
Eight bridges have been thrown up on the Turag, supervisor of pontoon bridge construction major Mohammad Emran Islam Bhuiyan said.
SECURITY
Tongi has been covered with a multi-layer security blanket thrown by police, elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Ansar and intelligence agencies.
Deputy commander of RAB-1 major Mohammad Nishadul Islam Khan said more RAB personnel have been deployed for security this year than the previous years. They have divided the Ijtema ground and its surrounding areas in five sectors, he said.
RAB helicopters will hover in the sky in the six days of the two-phase Ijtema, the RAB official said. Members of the elite force in plainclothes are watching over each block, too, he added.
River patrol teams started work on Thursday, patting down those entering the ground and watching from towers. Moreover, security personnel have mingled with the devotees in the blocks, dressed in white and wearing special cap.
RAB bomb squad members are also on the ground.
Gazipur police superintendent Abdul Baten said a total 10,000 security personnel including RAB and police are working to ensure safety at the Ijtema ground. Overall security is being monitored with several RAB and police close circuit cameras.
TRAFFIC CONTROL
Traffic is being controlled to ensure safe transportation of the devotees.
Government-run Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) is operating single- and double-decker buses between Jan 12 and 24 to facilitate easy movement of pilgrims to and from the congregation.
Parking places have been designated to avoid gridlocks.
The World Congregation of Muslims, that shuns politics and is being held in two phases like the previous year, kicked off in the morning on the sandy bank of the Turag River.
The first phase will run through to Jan 15 and the second one from Jan 20 to Jan 22, during which the faithful pray and listen to religious scholars. It was launched by Tablig Jamaat, a non-political group that urges people to follow Islam in their daily lives.
Thousands of Muslims seeking peace and the revival of Islam's tenets joined the inaugural session begun after Fazr prayers with a lecture by Pakistani Hazi Abdul Wahab.
Huge columns of devotees began streaming towards the gathering site from dawn, braving overcrowded buses and ferries and endured long delays and dense fog.
Dressed in traditional robes and prayer caps, thousands, from far-flung villages and towns and across the world, started gathering at the ground even from Thursday. Ijtema's appeal has grown largely over the years among those who cannot afford to go to Makkah for the hajj.
Heavy security is in place to ensure safety. Junior home minister Shamsul Hoque Tuku has visited the Ijtema ground to see the security.
A large number of police, Ansar and RAB personnel have been deployed around the venue to ensure security of the devotees.
President Zillur Rahman and prime minister Sheikh Hasina have issued statements on this occasion.
The first phase will end with Sunday's Akheri Munajat or final prayer. Muslims of 32 districts are taking part in the first phase of this gathering.
The second phase will begin after a four day gap on Jan 20. On Jan 22, this annual world gathering would end with Akheri Munajat.
Biswa Ijtema has been taking place in Bangladesh (then Bengal) since the 1960s. At the beginning, it would take place at Dhaka's Kakrail mosque. Then, in 1948 it took place at Haji Camp in Chittagong and in 1958, it took place in Narayanganj's Shiddhirganj.
With increase in number of people attending it, in 1966, the Biswa Ijtema was held at the bank of Turag in Tongi. From then on, it has been taking place there.
The country's biggest Juma prayer was held on Friday, the first day of Biswa Ijtema. People have been gathering from all over the country to attend this congregation which is totally informal and is not presided over by anyone.
PRESIDENT, PM LAUD GATHERING
The president in his statement welcomed foreign guests and said, "This great congregation is playing an important role in spreading Islamic morals and the teachings of 'Sunnah' among the residents of the world.
"To enforce peace, unity, solidarity and brotherhood in the Muslim world, the Biswa Ijtema is really important. Everyone should be inspired by great Islamic ideals and devote themselves to the welfare of humanity."
The prime minister in her message said, "Through the foreign guests attending the Ijtema, our long cherished non-communal mentality, natural mildness, hospitality and tolerance will reach the world.
IJTEMA GROUND
One of the organisers, Mohammad Gias Uddin, said the 160-acre ground has been covered with canopy stretching more than a kilometre. Though cooking materials could not be managed for local Muslims, a separate tin-roofed area has been earmarked on the venue's north-west side with gas, electricity, telephone and other modern facilities for foreign devotees, he added.
The whole ground has been divided in 39 khitas or blocks marked for 64 districts in the first phase and 38 khitas in the second.
Eight bridges have been thrown up on the Turag, supervisor of pontoon bridge construction major Mohammad Emran Islam Bhuiyan said.
SECURITY
Tongi has been covered with a multi-layer security blanket thrown by police, elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Ansar and intelligence agencies.
Deputy commander of RAB-1 major Mohammad Nishadul Islam Khan said more RAB personnel have been deployed for security this year than the previous years. They have divided the Ijtema ground and its surrounding areas in five sectors, he said.
RAB helicopters will hover in the sky in the six days of the two-phase Ijtema, the RAB official said. Members of the elite force in plainclothes are watching over each block, too, he added.
River patrol teams started work on Thursday, patting down those entering the ground and watching from towers. Moreover, security personnel have mingled with the devotees in the blocks, dressed in white and wearing special cap.
RAB bomb squad members are also on the ground.
Gazipur police superintendent Abdul Baten said a total 10,000 security personnel including RAB and police are working to ensure safety at the Ijtema ground. Overall security is being monitored with several RAB and police close circuit cameras.
TRAFFIC CONTROL
Traffic is being controlled to ensure safe transportation of the devotees.
Government-run Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) is operating single- and double-decker buses between Jan 12 and 24 to facilitate easy movement of pilgrims to and from the congregation.
Parking places have been designated to avoid gridlocks.
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