Preparations for the first phase of the 57th Biswa Ijtema, the second-largest congregation of Muslims, are in the final stages. The organizers expect about 50 lakh devotees to participate in the first phase of the event.
The first phase will be held from Feb 2 to Feb 4 on the bank of Turag in Tongi.
Organizers said that about 12,000 foreign guests are expected to join in the first phase. Temporary sheds made of tin have been prepared for their accommodation.
Besides, in the Kamarpara area on the western side of the Iajtema grounds, several temporary bridges have been prepared with the help of the army to facilitate the movement of worshippers.
The second phase of the Ijtema will be held on Feb 9-11.
Meanwhile, 95% of the preparations for the Ijtema have been completed, with the organizers and volunteers working shoulder to shoulder. Thousands of volunteers have come from far and wide to take part in the preparations.
Adequate CCTV cameras have been installed for security in the huge field of 160 acres.
Biswa Ijtema of the Tablighi Jamaat has been held since 1967 on the banks of Turag, 22km north of Dhaka. It has been held in two phases since 2011.
In 2018, differences arose between its organizers over a statement by Maulana Saad, India’s renowned cleric and top Tablighi leader. Since then, supporters of the two groups have been participating in the Ijtema separately.
