Staff Reporter :
The second phase of Biswa Ijtema on the bank of the Turag River in Tongi of Gazipur turned into a human sea during the Jumma prayers with rows of worshippers on the 160-acre ground as well as driveways nearby.
Organised by Tabligh Jamaat, the Ijtema started after Fazr prayers with religious sermon by Pakistani Islamic scholar Maulana Jamshed.
Breaking the long tradition, this year for the third time in succession, the rituals is being performed in two phases to ensure better management and security. The first phase of Ijtema, beginning from last Friday, ended on Sunday last.
Thousands of devotees have taken part in the Jumma paryers on the banks of the Turag River on the outskirts of Dhaka city.
Imam of Bangladesh’s Kakrail Mosque Maulana Zobair conducted the prayers at 1:45pm.
Besides those who were on the Ijtema premises since Thursday, thousands of others came from various districts, including Dhaka and Gazipur to say prayers.
Devotees came by buses, trains, private cars and on foot. The Ijtema ground overflowed with a sea of people.
Many were seen saying their prayers on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway,
Kamarparha and floating bridges in the Turag river.
The Imam conducted prayers taking position on the west of the river.
One of the Ijtema organisers, Gias Uddin, said the Ijtema would end with Akheri Munajat between 10:30am and 11:30am on Sunday.
Meanwhile, five people died on Ijtema venue since last night, said Ismail Hossian, Officer-in-Charge of Tongi Police Station.
Of the deceased, Maulana Hedayet Ullah, 68, from Noakhali died in a road accident while crossing Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in the Tongi Bus Stand area around 9:00am, the OC said.
A five-layer security system with 10,000 uniformed and plainclothes policemen and members of RAB and intelligence agencies are ready to meet emergency.
