The first phase of Biswa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of Muslims after hajj, began on Friday on the Turag River bank at Tongi on the outskirts of the capital amid countrywide non-strop transport blockade enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance. A large number of Muslim devotees from home and abroad reached the congregation venue braving all the sufferings and obstacles caused by the transport blockade. The first phase of 50th Biswa Ijtema formally started with delivering sermons by Pakistani Islamic scholar Maulana Ehsan after Fajr prayers. Muslim devotees from 32 districts of the country and 4,982 foreign nationals from 50 countries are participating in the first phase Ijtema, sources at the district Special Branch said. Special security measures have been taken to ensure security of the Muslim devotees. A larger number of troops from various law-enforcement agencies have been deployed at Tongi to ensure the foolproof security of the devotees at the Ijtema. Several watch towers have been installed at the entrances of the Ijtema ground. Besides, a good number of close circuit cameras and a control room have been installed for providing healthcare services to the devotees. The first phase of the three-day Biswa Ijtema, being organised by Tablig Jamaat since 1946, will conclude on January 11 (Sunday) with the Akheri Munajat (concluding prayers) while the second phase is slated for January 16-18. Several lakh Muslims are expected to attend the Jum’a prayers at the Ijtema venue today. The Ijtema is being held in two phases from 2012 to ease accommodation problem.- Gazipur, Jan 9 (UNB)
