Bangladesh

Bishwa Ijtema in pictures

Prothom Alo English Desk

The first phase of Bishwa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of Muslim community after Hajj, has started on the bank of Turag river in Tongi, Gazipur on 10 January.

The Ijtema began with "a'm bayan" (general sermons) by Pakistani Islamic scholar Maulana Obaidul Khorshed, reports UNB.

Several thousand devotees are expected to offer Jum'a prayers on the first day of the Ijtema.

Thousands of devotees from home and abroad started thronging the ijtema site to take part in the religious event to seek divine blessings.

AFP and Reuters captured moments of the congregation.

Muslim devotees pray as they attend the World Muslim Congregation, also known as `Biswa Ijtema`, during noon prayers at Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka on 10 January 2020. Photo: AFP
Muslim devotees pray as they attend the World Muslim Congregation, also known as `Biswa Ijtema`, during noon prayers at Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka on 10 January 2020. Photo: AFP
Muslim devotees arrive at the World Muslim Congregation, also known as `Biswa Ijtema`, at Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka on 10 January 2020. Photo: AFP
Muslim devotees arrive at the World Muslim Congregation, also known as `Biswa Ijtema`, at Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka on 10 January 2020. Photo: AFP
Muslim devotees pray as they attend the World Muslim Congregation, also known as `Biswa Ijtema`, during noon prayers at Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka on 10 January 2020. Photo: AFP
Muslim devotees pray as they attend the World Muslim Congregation, also known as `Biswa Ijtema`, during noon prayers at Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka on 10 January 2020. Photo: AFP
Muslim devotees pray as they attend the World Muslim Congregation, also known as `Biswa Ijtema`, during noon prayers at Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka on 10 January 2020. Photo: AFP
Muslim devotees pray as they attend the World Muslim Congregation, also known as `Biswa Ijtema`, during noon prayers at Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka on 10 January 2020. Photo: AFP
Muslim devotees pray as they attend the World Muslim Congregation, also known as `Biswa Ijtema`, during noon prayers at Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka on 10 January 2020. Photo: AFP
Muslim devotees pray as they attend the World Muslim Congregation, also known as `Biswa Ijtema`, during noon prayers at Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka on 10 January 2020. Photo: AFP
Muslims from around the world perform Friday prayer on a makeshift bridge during Bishwa Ijtema, which is considered the world’s second-largest Muslim gathering after haj, in Tongi, on the outskirt of Dhaka, Bangladesh, 10 January 2020. Photo: Reuters
Muslims from around the world perform Friday prayer on a makeshift bridge during Bishwa Ijtema, which is considered the world’s second-largest Muslim gathering after haj, in Tongi, on the outskirt of Dhaka, Bangladesh, 10 January 2020. Photo: Reuters
Muslims from around the world perform Friday prayer on the street during Bishwa Ijtema, which is considered the world’s second-largest Muslim gathering after haj, in Tongi, on the outskirt of Dhaka, Bangladesh, 10 January 2020. Photo: Reuters
Muslims from around the world perform Friday prayer on the street during Bishwa Ijtema, which is considered the world’s second-largest Muslim gathering after haj, in Tongi, on the outskirt of Dhaka, Bangladesh, 10 January 2020. Photo: Reuters
Muslim devotees prepare for prayers at the World Muslim Congregation, also known as `Biswa Ijtema`, at Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka on 10 January 2020. Photo: AFP
Muslim devotees prepare for prayers at the World Muslim Congregation, also known as `Biswa Ijtema`, at Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka on 10 January 2020. Photo: AFP
Muslim devotees pray as they attend the World Muslim Congregation, also known as `Biswa Ijtema`, during noon prayers at Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka on 10 January 2020. Photo: AFP
Muslim devotees pray as they attend the World Muslim Congregation, also known as `Biswa Ijtema`, during noon prayers at Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka on 10 January 2020. Photo: AFP
Muslim devotees rest at the World Muslim Congregation also known as `Biswa Ijtema`, at Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka on 10 January 2020. Photo: AFP
Muslim devotees rest at the World Muslim Congregation also known as `Biswa Ijtema`, at Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka on 10 January 2020. Photo: AFP
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