The second phase of three-day Biswa Ijtema, billed as the second largest congregation of Muslims after hajj, begins on the banks of the Turag River at Tongi on Friday. This phase of 56th edition of the Biswa Ijtema will begin through "a'm bayan" (general sermons) after Fazr prayers with the participation of a large number of devotees including the followers of Indian Islamic preacher Maulana Muhammad Saad Al Kandhalvi. Read more: 2nd phase Bishwa Ijtema: Metro rail to operate from 8am-5pm on Jan 22 Several thousand devotees are expected to offer Jum'a prayers, led by Maulana Saad’s son Yusuf bin Kandalvi, on the first day of the second phase Ijtema. Thousands of devotees from home and abroad have started thronging the banks of the Turag River to take part in the religious event to seek divine blessings of the Almighty Allah. State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan inaugurated the Free Medical Camp of Hamdard Laboratories (Waqf) Bangladesh this noon (Thursday) to provide health services for the devotees. Additional police will be deployed in and around the Ijtema venue to ensure security of the devotees. The venue has been brought under CCTV surveillance, said Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) Commissioner Molla Nazrul Islam. The three-day Biswa Ijtema will end on January 22 with Akheri Munajat (final prayers). Read more: First phase of Bishwa Ijtema ends today with ‘Akheri Munajat’ Meanwhile, metro rail in Dhaka will be operated from 8am to 5pm on January 22 for the smooth movement of the devotees attending the second phase of Bishwa Ijtema. The metro rail authority will extend their service hour to facilitate the devotees on the Akheri Munajat day, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) (Public Relations) Nazmul Islam Bhuiyan told UNB on Thursday. The first phase of three-day Biswa Ijtema ended on January 15 with the Akheri Munajat. 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 metro rail in Dhaka will be operated from 8am to 5pm on January 22 for the smooth movement of the devotees attending the second phase of Bishwa Ijtema. The metro rail authority will extend their service hour to facilitate the devotees on the ‘Akheri Munajat’ (final prayer) day, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) (Public Relations) Nazmul Islam Bhuiyan told UNB on Thursday. The second phase of Ijtema will be held from January 20 to 22 this year. Read more: GMP issues traffic directives to reduce sufferings of Ijtema devotees The metro rail currently operates for four hours daily from 8:00am. The country’s commuting system entered a new era on December 28 last year with the inauguration of the operation of the first phase of metro rail service -- Uttara to Agargaon in the capital.

The first phase of the three-day Bishwa Ijtema – the second largest congregation of Muslims after Hajj – ended today (January 15, 2023) with ‘Akheri Munajat’ (final prayer). Maulana Hafez Zobair Ahmad, leader of Bangladesh Tabligh Jamaat, conducted the final prayer between 10-10:30 am. Thousands of devotees raised their hands, seeking divine forgiveness and blessings for peace and prosperity of the Muslim ummah. They also prayed for the country’s welfare. Read more: GMP issues traffic directives to reduce sufferings of Ijtema devotees After two years of break because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Ijtema began on the banks of the Turag river in Tongi after Fajr prayers on Friday (January 13) with general sermons by noted Islamic scholar Maulana Ziaul Haque of Pakistan. As part of the rationalized traffic system, movement of vehicles remained suspended from 12 am on Saturday till the Akheri Munajat this morning – from Tongi to Bhogra Bypass on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, Khamarpara Road, and Abdullahpur to Bypile on Ashulia Road, said Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mollah Nazrul Islam. So far, seven elderly devotees have died at the Ijtema venue during the first phase of the global congregation, said Jisanul Haque, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police. Read more: Devotees converging on Ijtema ground on day 2 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 January 20 to 22 this year.

Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) has issued some directives regarding traffic movement to reduce suffering of Biswa Ijtema devotees. Movements of vehicles on some roads in Gazipur will remain suspended for around six hours due to the ongoing Biswa Ijtema. GMP Commissioner Mollah Nazrul Islam disclosed this in a  press briefing at police control room set up at the Ijtema venue saying that the traffic movement has been rearranged as devotees from remote areas of the country will join the Akheri Munajat (final prayers) on Sunday morning. As part of the rationalized traffic system, movement of vehicles will remain suspended from 12am on Saturday till the Akheri Munajat (Sunday morning) from Tongi to Bhogra Bypass on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, Khamarpara road, Abdullahpur to Bypile on Ashulia road, he said. Read more: Commuters asked to avoid airport road for BRT work till Saturday midnight The GMP commissioner requested people to use the bypass road to avoid traffic gridlock. The first phase of Biswa Ijtema started on Friday morning and it will end through the Akheri Munajat on Sunday morning.

The first phase of Bishwa Ijtema, one of the biggest congregations of Muslims in the world, in Tongi is continuing for the second day today (January 14, 2023) — drawing devotees in the lakhs. The three-day congregation began on the bank of the Turag river after Fajr prayers on Friday with sermons delivered by noted Islamic scholar Maulana Ziaul Haque of Pakistan. Several lakhs of Muslim devotees, both from home and abroad, are converging at the venue and attending the prayers — reciting the names of Allah and hearing the sermons. Also read: Biswa Ijtema: World's second-largest Muslim gathering begins Maulana Khurshidul Haque of Pakistan delivered sermons after Fajr prayers and Maulana Ibrahim Deula of India also delivered sermons in the morning. Maulana Iftar Zaman will deliver sermons in English. Devotees from different parts of the country are still coming to the Ijtema venue by buses, trucks, boats and on foot. Read More: Nagad sets up booth at Bishwa Ijtema The first phase of Ijtema will end tomorrow (Sunday, January 15, 2023) with Akheri Munajat (final prayers). Ijtema is being held in two phases from 2012 to ease accommodation issues. The second phase of Ijtema is scheduled to be held on January 20-22 at the same place. Meanwhile, six devotees died in separate incidents at the Ijtema venue on Thursday, Friday and today. Read More: 1st phase of Biswa Ijtema begins Friday A mass wedding ceremony will be held today at the ground after Asr prayers. Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mollah Nazrul Islam said additional police personnel have been deployed in and around the Ijtema venue to ensure the security of the devotees. The venue has been brought under closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera surveillance. Besides, thousands of volunteers are working round the clock to make sure the event runs smoothly. Read More: Foolproof security measures taken ahead of Ijtema: IGP Several health centres have been set up at different parts of the venue along with beds and almost all first aid and other treatment facilities with doctors doing round-the-clock duties at each centre. Special measures have also been taken to ensure uninterrupted electricity during the three-day Ijtema. Tabligh Jamaat has been organising the congregation at the Tongi venue since 1967. In 2011, it divided Ijtema into two phases to accommodate a large number of attendees. Read More: Sylhet police asks Anjumane Hefazat-e-Islam to postpone their ijtema till after BNP’s rally

Dhaka Metropolitan Police  Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam has asked the devotees  to bring only  prayer mats and umbrellas when they join the main Eid-ul-Fitr congregation at National Eidgah. The DMP commissioner said on Sunday “This is for security as a four tier measure has been ensured at the National Eidgah for the congregation.” He was  briefing the press about the security arrangements in the area for Eid-ul-Fitr. Also read: Main Eid Jamaat to be held at Nat’l Eidgah While replying to a question the DMP chief said “There is no threat of militant attack at the main Eid congregation." “This year DMP will ensure safety in1,468 Eid jamaats to be held across Dhaka in small and large mosques, eidgahs” he added. He said “Bomb disposal unit will sweep the whole area before the beginning of Eid jamaat at National Eidgah and it will remain under CCTV camera surveillance.” Also read: 35,000 people will be able to join Eid jamaat at Nat’l Eidgah: Mayor Taposh The DMP commissioner requested the worshipers to come to the congregation at the Eidgah before the scheduled time as it will take time to go through the checking. He said similar security measures would be taken if the main congregation of Eid is held at Baitul Mukarram in case of inclement weather.

Two devotees died at the Ijtema venue in Tongi here on Thursday night and early Friday.