A Gazipur court on Sunday placed Mufti Muaz bin Noor, a follower of Maulana Saad Kandlavi, on a three-day remand in a case over the violent clashes between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat at the Biswa Ijtema ground in Tongi over control of the venue. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Alamgir Al Mamun of Gazipur Metropolitan Court passed the order. Earlier police produced Mufti Noor before the court with a seven-day remand prayer. Chhatra Dal activist shot dead in Narsingdi The supporters of Zubair staged demonstrations demanding punishment of Noor. Tongi police arrested Mufti Muaz bin Noor from Dhaka’s Uttara on December 19. 3 killed in road accidents in Chandpur and Jashore Maulana Zubair's follower M Alam Hossain filed the murder case with Tongi Police Station on Thursday evening against 29 people at the Tongi West Police Station naming Syed Wasiful Islam as the main accused. Four people were killed and 40 others injured in a clash between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat at the Biswa Ijtema ground in Tongi on December 18.

The government has taken full control of Tongi’s Biswa Ijtema ground in Gazipur following deadly clashes between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat that left four people dead and over 50 injured. Members of the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police, and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed around the area to ensure security and prevent further violence. Additional forces have been deployed on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway and Kamarpara road where suspicious people are being searched and interrogated. Who is Maulana Saad and what is the controversy around him? Despite the unrest, a few devotees, followers of Maulana Saad Kandhalvi stayed overnight in a tin-shed mosque on the western bank of the Turag River. They started leaving the area on Thursday morning. Deputy Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) N.M. Nasir Uddin said a public notice was issued on Wednesday prohibiting gatherings within a three-kilometer radius of the Ijtema ground. Devotees were instructed to vacate the area by the evening and the ground was cleared accordingly. The Ijtema ground will remain under government control until further notice. Four people were killed and 40 others injured in a clash between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat at the Biswa Ijtema ground in Tongi over the control of the venue early Wednesday. 4 dead, 40 injured in clashes at Ijtema venue According to Commissioner Nazmul Karim Khan of Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP), the violence erupted when followers of Maulana Saad attempted to enter the venue, prompting a counter-attack by supporters of Maulana Zubair around 3 am. Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury warned that those responsible for the violence would be held accountable.

Four people were killed and 40 others injured in a clash between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat at the Biswa Ijtema ground in Tongi over the control of the venue early Wednesday. The deceased include Amirul Islam Bachhu, 70, from Kishoreganj, Bilal Hossain, 60, from Faridpur, and Tajul Islam, 70, from Bogura. The identity of the fourth victim remains unknown. Will hold long march to take control of Ijtema ground: Spokesperson of Zubair faction According to Commissioner Nazmul Karim Khan of Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP), the violence erupted when followers of Maulana Saad attempted to enter the venue, prompting a counter-attack by supporters of Maulana Zubair around 3 am. The clash left four dead and 40 injured, with 35 people receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Seven of the injured were admitted. Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury warned that those responsible for the violence would be held accountable. Following meetings with both factions, he said discussions were going on, and the government was committed to resolving the dispute and providing medical assistance to the injured. The government has scheduled the first phase of Biswa Ijtema for Zubair’s followers from January 31 to February 2, while the second phase for Saad’s faction will occur from February 7 to 9. However, opposition to this decision has heightened tensions. Maulana Zubair’s followers demand ban on Maulana Saad's group Security measures have been intensified at the venue, with four Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) platoons deployed. Besides, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has banned gatherings, processions, and demonstrations in nearby areas. Maulana Mamunul Haque, a key leader of Zubair’s group, demanded that the government ban Saad’s followers from organising Ijtema gatherings, accusing them of collaborating with anti-Bangladesh forces. He also announced plans to file a case over the recent violence. Meanwhile, Mufti Amanul Haq, a spokesperson for the Zubair faction, threatened a long march to seize control of the venue if Saad’s followers do not leave. Home Adviser warns of strict action over Biswa Ijtema killings At a press conference at Kakrail Mosque, he vowed to seek the highest level of justice and declared that no Saad follower would be allowed to enter Kakrail Mosque in the future. In light of the escalating tensions, both factions have agreed to vacate the Ijtema ground temporarily, respecting the government’s request to maintain peace and avoid further clashes.

On the second day of the second phase of 57th Biswa Ijtema the devotees on Saturday listened to scholars recitation and explanation of verses from the Quran.Several lakhs of devotees including seven thousand foreign pilgrims from several countries have gathered on the Ijtema ground and continued spiritual activities, including the recitation of Allah’s divine names and sermons. The second phase of Bishwa Ijtema began on Friday with aam bayaan (general sermons) after Fajr prayers on by Maulana Ilyas Bin Saad of India. The sermon was translated into Bangla by Maulana Munir Bin Yusuf.Maulana Syed Bin Saad of India delivered sermons after Fajr prayer on Saturday and Maulana Mufti Osama Islam translated it into Bangla. Read more: DMP, GMP set road, parking plans during IjtemaBesides, Maulana Abdul Azim, Maulana Sharif and Maulana Osman 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 second phase of Ijtema will end Sunday with Akheri Munajat (final prayers).A mass wedding ceremony will be held today at the ground after Asr prayers. Two Ijtema attendees die in Tongi road accidentMeanwhile, more than 6,000 members of the law enforcement have been deployed to perform duties in the Ijtema area. Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Mahbub Alam said there is a strong security system in place for this phase, as was the case in the first phase.By Thursday night, a total of six people died during Ijtema. Media coordinator Mohammad Sayem said they died due to old age illness.Tabligh Jamaat has been organising the congregation at the venue since 1967. In 2011, it divided Ijtema into two phases to accommodate a large number of attendees. Second phase of Biswa Ijtema begins on banks of Turag

The second phase of the three-day ‘Biswa Ijtema’, one of the largest congregations of Muslims in the world, will begin on Friday morning on the bank of the Turag River in Gazipur's Tongi. The authorities have completed the necessary preparations to hold the religious gathering smoothly. Six men die on Biswa Ijtema ground A good number of foreign devotees from different parts of the world along with Bangladeshis have already thronged the Ijtema venue. The second phase of Ijtema will start after fajr prayers through ‘Aam Bayan’ on Friday and will end on Sunday (Feb 11) through Akheri Munajat. First phase of Biswa Ijtema begins Devotees from different foreign countries including India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Europe, America and Africa have reached the venue. Meanwhile, members of law enforcement agencies will be deployed to maintain law and order at the Ijtema venue and adjacent areas. Besides, plainclothes police and intelligence officers will remain deployed in the area. All out measures taken for fire safety for devotees in Biswa Ijtema: FSCD The first phase of Bishwa Ijtema ended on February 4 at the same venue starting on February 2.

Muslim devotees who attended the first phase of three-day Biswa Ijtema from neighbouring India have started returning home through Benapole land port in Jashore on Monday (February 05, 2024) morning. Sources at the port’s immigration office said that a huge number of devotees came to Bangladesh from several states of India to participate the Ijtema that ended on Sunday with Akheri Munajat on the banks of the Turag River in Tongi. Read: Two Ijtema attendees die in Tongi road accident The Indian devotees were seen standing in queues of Benapole’s Immigration customs to return home in the early morning. Benapole Immigration police station’s Officer-in-Charge (investigation) Shafiq Ahmed said there are additional officers so that the devotees face no hassles during departure from Bangladesh. Read more: Two Ijtema attendees die in Tongi road accident

Two Biswa Ijtema devotees were killed and 11 people were injured when a covered van hit an auto-rickshaw at Shilmun of Tongi in Gazipur on Sunday (February 04, 2024). The deceased were identified as Jony, 18, son of Monir Hossain of South Sadharchar village in Shibpur upazila of Narsingdi, Sohel, 40, son of Kajal Mia of the same village. Read: 3 more devotees die at Ijtema venue  The injured were Firoz ,50, Jahirul Islam, 52, Jisan, 22, Zahid Hasan, 35, Iqbal Hossain, 55, Nazrul Islam, 50, Anisur Rahman, Md. Borhan Uddin,50 and Basir Uddin, 55 and two unidentified people. The condition of the unidentified victims was stated to be critical. Mostafizur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Tongi East Police Station of Gazipur Metropolitan Police, said the accident occurred around 7 pm before the Akheri. 

Four more devotees died at the Ijtema venue on Saturday (February 03, 2024) night, taking the death toll to 14. The deceased were identified as Md Sanowar, of Gaibandha’s Pangsha upazila, Md Alam, son of Abdul Jalil of Chattogram’s Anowara upazila, Md Shahnewaz Bhuiyah, son of Nurul Huq of Narsingdi and Al Mahmud, son of late Osman Goni of Sirajganj. With the four, a total of 14 people including a policeman died till Sunday morning during the first phase of Ijtema. Read: 3 more devotees die at Ijtema venue Earlier, 10 people died on the Ijtema ground. Of them, three died on the way to the Ijtema venue. Habibullah Raihan, coordinator of Biswa Ijtema media cell and Dr Jahangir Alam, supervisor of Tongi Shaheed Ahsanullah Master General Hospital confirmed the deaths. The first phase of 57th Bishwa Ijtema, the second largest global Muslim gathering, is ending today with continued spiritual activities, including the recitation of Allah’s divine names and sermons. Read: GMP issues traffic directives to reduce sufferings of Ijtema devotees

The first phase of the three-day 57th Bishwa Ijtema – the second largest congregation of Muslims – ended today (February 4, 2024) through “Akheri Munajat” (final prayer). Maulana Hafez Zobair Ahmad, leader of Bangladesh Tabligh Jamaat and head imam of Kakrail Jame Masjid in Dhaka, conducted the prayer this morning. Thousands of devotees sought mercy from Almighty Allah by raising their hands for divine forgiveness, blessings for peace and prosperity of the Muslim ummah. They also prayed for the country’s welfare. Earlier in the morning after the Fajr prayer, Pakistani Tabligh leader Ziaul Huq delivered the sermon, which was translated into Bangla by Bangladeshi Maulana Nurul Rahman. Read: 57th Ijtema: Devotees gather in Tongi for day 2 As part of the rationalized traffic system centring the final prayer, movement of vehicles will remain suspended from Tongi-Kamarpara road on Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway — from Tongi to Bhogra Bypass in Gazipur and from Abdullahpur to Ashulia Bypile — from Saturday midnight (12 am) to 2 pm today. Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mahbub Alam told media that the restriction may end at 2 pm or extend following the final prayer as it will depend on circumstances. He said vehicles heading to Mymensingh and Gazipur have been advised to use Konabari via Gabtoli while vehicles heading to Dhaka from Mymensingh have been advised to use the 300 Feet Road through Bhogra bypass. During this time, no goods carrying vehicles will be allowed to run on these roads. However, all types of traffic movement related to Ijtema will remain normal. On the other hand, Bangladesh Railway has decided to run 17 special trains on the occasion of Bishwa Ijtema. Of these, 14 trains are operating only on the day of Akheri Munajat. Five special trains are running on the Dhaka-Tongi route, five trains on the Tongi-Dhaka route, one on the Tongi-Mymensingh route, one on the Tongi-Tangail route and two trains on the Ishwardi-Tongi-Ishwardi route. Read: Ijtema Phase I: 'Please call us 'Alem e Shura', not followers of Jubayer' Commencing on Friday after Fajr prayers, this edition of Ijtema kicked off with general sermons by the esteemed Maulana Ahmad Buttullah from Pakistan. The grounds of the Ijtema witnessed the influx of several hundred thousand Muslim worshippers from around the world. So far, 14 elderly devotees have died at the Ijtema venue during the first phase of the global congregation, said Habibulla Imran, media coordinator of the Tabligh Jamaat. Of them, four devotees died last night, he said. For security, approximately 15,000 law enforcement officials are on duty at the Ijtema grounds and the surrounding vicinity, supplemented by undercover police and intelligence personnel. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) is also present, with watchtowers erected to oversee and ensure the safety of the congregation. Tabligh Jamaat has been organising the congregation at the venue since 1967. In 2011, it divided Ijtema into two phases to accommodate a large number of attendees. The second phase of Ijtema will be held from February 9-11 this year. Read more: First phase of Biswa Ijtema begins

The Biswa Ijtema, billed as the second largest congregation of Muslims after the Hajj, will be held in two phases- February 2 to 4 and February 9 to 11 - this year. Ahead of this, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) have jointly issued a traffic and car parking management directive to ease the pressure on the traffic system. The measures will be in effect for each of the three days in both phases.  A media release, issued from police headquarters on Wednesday morning, sought all-out cooperation to maintain order in traffic, avoid traffic jams and facilitate the movement of pilgrims. Parking Instructions Police declared a no-parking zone on the roads and its nearby areas from the Khilkhet-Abdullahpr-Dhaur bridge. Fixed Parking Zones Police fixed some points for parking of vehicles for the Muslim devotees who will attend the Ijtema. Dhaka Metropolitan Parking: Open spaces of Swadesh Property adjacent to 300 feet Road. Read: No threat of militant attack centering Biswa Ijtema: RAB DG Divisional Parking inside DMP areas: Dhaka and Chittagong Division Parking: Kadam Ali Market under Sector No. 15, Bridge No. 5 and Uludah Field in Sector No. 17. Sylhet and Khulna Division Parking:  Lakepar ground of Uttara Sector-15. Rajshahi, Rangpur and Mymensingh Division: West side of the lake of bridges 10 and 11, inside Sector No. 16 and Boubazar ground. Divisional Parking inside GMP areas: Mymensingh Division Parking: Chandana High School, Chowrasta, Gazipur. Vehicles coming from North Bengal and Tangail will park at  Bhawal Badre Alam College and Pubail University College. Government Vehicles: Telephone Industry Organization (TESIS) and Tongi Government College Ground. The drivers and helpers of the parked vehicles must stay with their vehicles. The devotees and the driver will keep each other's mobile numbers, so that they can communicate with each other in any emergency. The driver's mobile number must be visible in front of the vehicle. Read: Bangladesh Police set guidelines for Ijtema Diversion points only for the days of Akheri Munajat (concluding prayers) Feb 4 and Feb 11 Dhaur Bridge, Sector No. 18 Panchabati Crossing, Padma Loop, Sector No. 12 Khalpar, Mohakhali Crossing, Hotel Radisson Blu Crossing, Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway (World Road Nikunj-1 Katchi Gate), Kuratali Flyover Loop-2, Mohakhali Flyover West Side, Mirpur Diabari Bus Stand Crossing, Ashulia Bazar Crossing. Kamarpara Road from Mannu Gate will be shut from the starting day of Ijtema for both phases. Traffic movement will remain shut on the two-way road from Bhogra Bypass from Abdullahpur and from Mirer Bazar to Station Road from 10 pm on February 3 to 2 pm on Feb 4 and from 10 pm on February 10 to 2pm on Feb 11. Vehicles carrying VVIPs/VIPs/Foreign devotees participating in Bishwa Ijtema have been advised to use Tongi Flyover from BNS Tower and get off at Station Road and use Mannu Gate Kamarpara Road. All inter-district vehicles including buses, covered vans and other heavy vehicles will avoid the Abdullahpur, Dhaur Bridge intersection and move via Mohakhali-Bijaysarani-Gabatli from 4:00 am on Akheri Munajat day. Read: Drones, CCTV monitoring to ensure security at Bishwa Ijtema: Home Minister Transportation services will be provided for foreigners from Padma Loop and Kuratali Loop-2 to the airport under the management of Traffic Uttara Division on the day of Akheri Monajat. It is also requested to avoid Kawla/Airport exit of Dhaka Elevated Expressway on the day of Akheri Monajat. For any queries on traffic management, commuters have been asked to contact the below numbers. Dhaka Metropolitan Police: Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic-North)- 01320-043940, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic-North)- 01320-043941, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic-North East Zone)- 01320-043952, Assistant Police Commissioner (Traffic-North West Zone)- 01320-043955, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic-Airport Zone)- 01320-043958, Inspector of Police (Administration)- 01320-043973, TI (Abdullahpur)- 01320-043968, TI (Kamar Para) )- 01320-043971, TI (Dhaur Bridge)- 01320-043970, TI (Airport)- 01320-043962, Traffic Control Room- 01711-000990. Gazipur Metropolitan Police: Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic)- 01320-070991, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic-North)- 01320-071004, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic-South)- 01320-071277, Inspector of Police (City & Traffic) (Station Road)- 01320-071291, Ijtema Control Room (Hotline)- 01320-072999, Control Room, GMP- 01320-072998, Traffic Control Room- 01320-071298. Read more: Ekushey Boi Mela 2024: What security measures are in place?