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1st Phase of Bishwa Ijtema Begins Tomorrow
A large number of devout Muslims from all over the country have gathered on the bank of the Turag River at Tongi to attend the first phase of the 58th Bishwa Ijtema starting from tomorrow. Photo: BSS
The first phase of the 58th Bishwa Ijtema, a major Muslim gathering, will begin tomorrow on the banks of the Turag River in Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka.
This year’s Ijtema, organized by the Tablighi Jamaat, will take place in three phases. The first phase runs from January 31 to February 2, followed by the second phase from February 3 to 5, and the third phase from February 14 to 16.
The event will begin with general sermons, or Aam Bayan, by prominent scholars after the Fajr prayers on the first day and will conclude with the Akheri Munajat (final prayers) on the last day.
Devotees supporting Maulana Zubair Ahmed will participate in the first two phases, while followers of Maulana Saad Kandhalvi will attend the third phase.
Hundreds of thousands of Muslims from across Bangladesh, as well as from abroad, are gathering at the Ijtema ground, which spans 160 acres.
In preparation for the event, the government has implemented tight security measures. Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam, after inspecting the area on Wednesday, assured that security has been significantly enhanced. Large numbers of police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel, and other law enforcement officers, both in uniform and plainclothes, have been deployed.
CCTV surveillance has been installed across the Ijtema ground and surrounding areas, along with control rooms and security archways at every entry point. The RAB’s headquarters will oversee the overall security, while regular check posts will be set up at key locations to monitor vehicles and passengers heading to the venue.
A RAB medical center is operational on-site, with multiple medical teams and ambulances available to provide round-the-clock services to the participants.