Bishwa Ijtema – A Peaceful Religious Gathering on the bank of the River Turag

People gather for Bishwa Ijtema, the second largest Muslim congregation after the Hajj, which began on Friday at Tongi on the outskirts of capital Dhaka. Tongi, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 22/01/2010

Bishwa Ijtema, the second largest Muslim congregation after the Hajj, began on Friday at Tongi on the outskirts of capital Dhaka. The three-day annual Tablighi Jamaat Islamic congregation started with Aam Bayan, or principal sermon, after the Fajr (early morning) prayers. It began Friday morning on the banks of the river Turag in Tongi with participation of around two million devotees including over one hundred thousand (one lakh) women from home and abroad.

The event started formally with a religious sermon after Fazr prayers in the morning. Around 20-25 hundred thousand (20-25 lakh) people are expected to attend the Juma prayers on the premises. Tens of thousands of devotees with winter clothes and blankets and cooking apparatus from across the country have gathered at the Ijtema venue, some 20km north of Dhaka city, to take part in the three-day congregation. Around 9,000 devotees from different countries have also arrived while many are on their way to participate in the Ijtema seeking divine blessings of Allah, said organisers.

Around 18,000 security personnel from different agencies and several hundred plainclothes law enforcers will vigil the area during the event. Besides, helicopters, speedboats and pickup vans will continue patrolling in and around the area. Amongst the festivals in Bangladesh, the Bishwa Ijtema is by far one of the most popular congregational gatherings, and has become an international event. It is not exactly certain when the first Bishwa Ijtema was held, with some speculating that the event started in 1946. One aspect of this religious gathering that has remained the same over time, is that the Tablighi Jamaat of Bangladesh organizes it each year. Starting out as a small event that was initially attended by a few Muslim followers, it has now grown into a massive event that is attended by millions from all over the world.