The first phase of the three-day Bishwa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of Muslims, began on the bank of the Turag River at Tongi, on the outskirts of the city, on Friday.
The Ijtema began with ‘Aam Bayan’ (general sermons) by noted scholars after Fazr prayers on the day that will end with Akheri Munajat (final prayers) on January 15.
Thousands of devotees from home and abroad thronged the bank of Turag to listen to scholars reciting and explaining verses from the Quran and to renew their commitment to Islamic values.
In the afternoon, the country's largest Jumma prayer, led by Maulana Hafez Zobair Ahmad, leader of a faction of Tabligh Jamaat, was held at the Ijtema ground.
The second phase of the Ijtema will begin on January 20 at the same venue and it is scheduled to end with Akheri Munajat on January 22.
All-out security measures have been taken centring the first phase of Bishwa Ijtema, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun said.
