IslamOnline.net & News Agencies

DHAKA – More than two million Muslims from around the globe are descending on Bangladesh for the world’s second largest Muslim gathering after hajj.  

"After the Hajj, the biggest Islamic gathering is this Bishwa Ijtema,” Alamgir Hossain told Geo Television Network on Saturday, January 23.

Hossain joined two million Muslims on the banks of the river Turag on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka to attend the Bishwa Ijtima, or the World Muslim Congregation.

Dressed in traditional Islamic robes and prayer caps, the faithful spend time in prayers and meditation.

They discuss the Noble Qur’an, attend lectures given by scholars from around the world and share notes on ways to spread Islam's message.

Political discussions are not allowed at the three-day gathering.

Many of the faithful traveled by dangerously overcrowded buses and ferries and endured long delays and dense fog to reach the site from far-flung rural villages.

Security was tight to ensure the safety of the worshippers.

"Members of the police are everywhere, thousands of policemen are engaged everywhere to maintain law and order in this 'ijtema' area,” police officer Abdus Sattar said.

“Rapid Action Battalion, members of the army are engaged here, helicopter are also above.

“We have taken very strong security measures here for the devotees so that none can create problems."

Praying for Peace

Hossain is praying for world peace and welfare of Muslims worldwide.

“Millions of Muslims have gathered here to pray together for the peace of the world's Muslims,” he said.

“I am also here to join the prayer to pray for myself and for the peace of world.”

The gathering will end on Sunday, January 24, with a final prayer to be led by Indian scholar Maulana Jobayerul Hasan.

Senior government officials are expected to attend the final day, including President Zillur Rahman, Premier Sheikh Hasina and Opposition Leader Begum Khaleda Zia.

Bishwa Ijtema was first held in the 1960s by Tabliq-e-Jamaat, a political group that urges people to follow the Islamic teachings in their daily lives.

With a population of 144 million, Bangladesh is the world's third-largest Muslim-majority nation.

"Great Muslim Gathering Ends In Bangladesh with Prayer for Peace"

The three-day World Congregation of Muslims, generally known as Biswa Ijtema, ended on Sunday with millions of devotees from home and abroad taking part in the concluding prayer (akheri munajat).

Maulana Jobayerul Hasan of Tablig-e-Jamaat, India, led the 22-minute munajat at the ijtema, the second largest congregation of Muslims in the world after the Hajj, on the bank of Turag just outside Dhaka, Bangladesh, seeking global peace, unity and welfare of the Muslim Ummah along with salvation in the world hereafter.

The munajat started around 12:18pm (local time) and ended at 12:40pm (local time). Maulana Jobayerul, in Urdu and Arabic, called upon the Muslims to follow Islam in everyday life and dedicate their life to establishing Islamic values in the society.

Bangladeshi President Zillur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Opposition Leader Begum Khaleda Zia, ministers, members of parliament, political leaders and senior officials joined the prayers along with devotees from all walks of life.

The three-day congregation began with the delivery of Aam Bayan (principal sermon) after the Fazr prayers on Friday. Throughout the three days, Islamic scholars from different countries delivered sermons on various aspects of Islam.

About 25,000 devotees from some 90 countries joined the congregation, organizers said.

The countries include India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Canada, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Thailand, Singapore, Morocco, Japan, Philippines, Egypt, Syria, Bhutan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Nigeria, South Africa, Turkey, Italy, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and Spain.

Around 20,000 security personnel from the police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and various intelligence agencies have been put in place to ensure security.

The government arranged special trains, buses and river craft to carry devotees from ijtema ground to their homes.

Bangladesh has been hosting the Bishwa Ijtema since 1967.

Source: http://www.islamonline.net and http://www.iqna.ir