The second phase of Biswa Ijtema, one of the largest congregation of Muslims, begins on the banks of the Turag River at Tongi on Friday (Jan 17).
The 55th edition of the Biswa Ijtema began with "Aambayan" (general sermons) after Fazr prayers with the participation of the followers of Indian Islamic preacher Maulana Muhammad Saad Al Kandhalvi.
The religious sermons were delivered by Indian scholar Maulana Mohammad Osman.
Several thousand devotees offered Jum'a prayers on the first day of the second phase Ijtema.
Thousands of devotees from home and abroad thronged the banks of the Turag River to take part in the religious event to seek divine blessings of the Almighty Allah.
The three-day Biswa Ijtema will end on Sunday (Jan 19) with Akheri Munajat (final prayers).
Additional police have been deployed in and around the Ijtema venue to ensure security of the devotees. The venue has been brought under CCTV surveillance, local media reported.
The first phase of Biswa Ijtema ended on Sunday through the Akheri Munajat.
Tabligh Jamaat has been organising the congregation at the venue since 1967.
