TONGI, Bangladesh — On Friday, a significant assembly took place along the banks of a river near Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, as tens of thousands of individuals gathered to partake in the Biswa Ijtema, a global congregation of Muslim followers.
This annual three-day event, which is set to conclude on Sunday, typically attracts hundreds of thousands of Muslims for the final prayers, following its tradition. This year marks the first phase of the Biswa Ijtema, with subsequent phases scheduled for February 3-5 and February 14-16.
Recognized as one of the largest gatherings of its kind, Biswa Ijtema takes place on the sandy shores of the Turag River in Tongi. The event traces its roots back to the 1950s when the Tablighi Jamaat movement initiated this significant celebration.
On Friday, attendees engaged in the weekly afternoon prayers, while many others made their way to the venue from various parts of Bangladesh. According to a representative from the organizing committee, approximately 2,150 foreign participants from 72 different countries joined the throng of local devotees in this year’s first phase.
Throughout the event, Islamic scholars and clerics from nations such as India and Pakistan delivered sermons focusing on the core principles of Islam as devotees set up temporary accommodations on the riverbank.
To ensure safety, security checkpoints and surveillance cameras were established, with uniformed and plainclothes security personnel patrolling the area. The director-general of the elite Rapid Action Battalion, A.K.M. Shahidur Rahman, reported that while there were no specific threats, comprehensive measures were enacted to maintain a secure environment.
Among those who attended was Mohammed Nadim, a grocer from Rangpur, who traveled overnight to partake in the prayers. “I return every year to seek blessings. This experience brings me peace,” he shared amidst the crowd.
He continued, “Many others share the same goal. We lift our hands in unison, yearning for peace in our lives and across the globe. May Allah accept our hopes and forgive us.”
