Second phase of 58th Bishwa Ijtema begins
This phase is being attended by devotees from 22 districts of Bangladesh, following the leadership of Maulana Zubayer Ahmed, the topmost leader of Tabligh Jamaat Bangladesh and the imam of Kakrail mosque
The second phase of the 58th Bishwa Ijtema commenced today (3 February) after Fajr prayers with an Aam Bayan (general sermons) on the banks of the Turag River in Gazipur's Tongi, on the outskirts of the capital.
This phase is being attended by devotees from 22 districts of Bangladesh, following the leadership of Maulana Zubayer Ahmed, the topmost leader of Tabligh Jamaat Bangladesh and the imam of Kakrail mosque.
Following the concluding prayer of the first phase yesterday (2 February), volunteers from Tabligh Jamaat and Gazipur City Corporation cleaned the grounds before Maghrib prayers to prepare for the second phase.
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A five-tier security system has been implemented by law enforcement agencies to ensure the event proceeds peacefully and smoothly.
Habibullah Rayhan, media coordinator of Tabligh Jamaat's Shura-e-Nizam faction said devotees from areas including different areas of Dhaka, Munshiganj, Jamalpur, Manikganj, Joypurhat, Sylhet, Sirajganj, Meherpur, Tangail, Pabna, Narsingdi, Kishoreganj, Cox's Bazar, Noakhali, Gopalganj, Jhalakathi, Barguna, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Khagrachari, Rangamati, Naogaon, and Bandarban are participating in the second phase.
A separate tent has been prepared for foreign guests, with around 3,050 participants from 76 countries. They are expected to return home after the conclusion of this phase on 5 February, he said.
Morning discussions are held with regional group leaders, and scheduled sermons include Maulana Ahmed Hossain from India after 10am, Maulana Ziaul Haque from Pakistan after Zuhr, Maulana Rabiul Haque from Bangladesh after Asr, and Maulana Ahmed Lat from India after Maghrib.
During a press briefing at the control room, Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) Commissioner Nazmul Karim Khan said security preparations remain as stringent as in the first phase.
"Movement in and around the grounds is being monitored through 235 CCTV cameras and binoculars," he said.
He also addressed an incident from yesterday where a drone crashed on the road near Kamarpara of the Ijtema ground during the Akheri Munajat (final prayer), causing panic and injuring over 50 devotees.
A notice signed by the GMP commissioner was issued in this regard yesterday, which said drones, drone cameras or any other electronic devices within two kilometres of Bishwa Ijtema grounds and its surrounding areas will not be allowed without the permission of the GMP Special Branch from 2 to 18 February to ensure the safety of the devotees and maintaining overall law and order.
Gazipur Deputy Commissioner Nafisa Arefin mentioned that mobile courts are active to curb illegal activities like pickpocketing, unauthorised vending, and illegal occupancy to ensure the safety and convenience of the participants.
"Various government agencies, including Gazipur district administration, city corporation, and metropolitan police, are working together to support the event organisers," she added.
The second phase will conclude with Akheri Munajat on 5 February.
After an eight-day break, the third phase of the Ijtema will commence on 14 February, with followers of Maulana Saad Kandhalvi participating. This three-day event will conclude with Akheri Munajat on 16 February.
Earlier, the first phase under Maulana Zubayer's leadership, attended by devotees from 41 districts, was held from 31 January to 2 February.
