Bangladesh
Bishwa Ijtema Bishwa Ijtema starts today
Dhaka, January 13: The Muslim world's second largest religious gathering 'Bishwa Ijtema' is starting today Friday at Turag Beach in Tongi. Special security arrangements have been made on this occasion.
The first phase of Ijtema will begin today and continue till January 15. After that, the second phase will be held from January 20 to 22 with a break in the coming and going of worshipers for four consecutive days. The Ijtema organizing committee said that final prayer will be offered in both the phases.
Meanwhile, devout worshipers are coming to the Ijtema Maidan in droves from different districts of the country, ignoring the severe cold, Konkan wind and thick fog. Pilgrims were seen thronging the Ijtema Maidan on the Turag shore of Tongir till Thursday night. Many of the worshipers did not get a place in the main square and took their positions in the nearby open spaces and on the sidewalks. Many are sitting there chanting.
A large number of worshipers from all over the country have already reached the Ijtema Maidan with great enthusiasm this year after the Ijtema was closed for the previous two years due to the Corona epidemic. Although the main ceremony of Ijtema is supposed to start on Friday, Muslims from all over the country have come to the Ijtema Maidan two days ago. The entire Ijtema Maidan was filled with worshipers since last Wednesday.
On Thursday night, worshipers were seen taking positions on the pavements along the various entrances to the Ijtema Maidan. They have taken position by pulling polythene on the side of the road. Not being able to get a place in the main pandal, many of the worshipers are taking a stand in the surrounding open spaces including the footpaths.
Many people are sitting on the Station Road-Kamarpara road as they are unable to go to their Khita due to the excessive pressure of the worshippers. From there they will do all the work of Ijtema. As there is no cooking environment, many people choose hotels for meals.
The main phase of Ijtema under the supervision of Almi Shura (followers of Zubair) is scheduled to begin with the ceremonial Am Bayan of Maulana Ziaul Haque Pakistan after Fajr on Friday. However, a day earlier, on Thursday, the ceremony began with the Hedayati Bayan of Bad Zohar Maulana Rabiul Haque and Bad Asr Maulana Farooq. Allama Ibrahim Deola of India narrated Bad Maghrib on this day and it was translated by Maulana Zobair. It highlights the various importance of tabligh in giving time in the path of Almighty Allah and da'wah.
