The second phase of Biswa Ijtema, the second largest Muslim congregation after Hajj, began on Friday morning on the bank of Turag River at Tongi on the outskirts of the capital.
The Ijtema, being organised by Tablig Jamaat since 1946, will conclude on Sunday.
The congregation, also called the World Muslims’ Congregation, started formally with religious sermons of Maulana Jamshed Ali of Bangladesh after Fajr prayers and it will end with Akheri Munajat (concluding prayers) on Sunday.
Several lakh Muslims are expected to join the Juma prayers at the Ijtema venue today.
The first phase of the Biswa Ijtema concluded on January 26 with the Akheri Munajat (concluding prayers). People from 32 districts attended the 1st phase of Ijtema.
People from 33 districts (including Dhaka) will attend the second phase Biswa Ijtema. Ijtema is being held in two phases since 2012 to ease the accommodation and transportation problems.
