Ijtema
Ijtema second phase ends today with ‘Akheri Munajat'
The second phase of the three-day Biswa Ijtema – the second largest congregation of Muslims after Hajj – ended today with ‘Akheri Munajat’ (final prayer).
Maulana Zubair conducted the final prayer between 12 pm to 12:30 pm.
Thousands of devotees raised their hands seeking forgiveness and blessings for peace and prosperity of the Muslim Ummah. They also prayed for the country’s welfare.
A large number of Muslim devotees from home and abroad gathered at the Ijtema venue on Wednesday morning.
Fire Service strengthens safety measures at Ijtema ground
After Fajr prayer on Wednesday Maulana Faruk from India delivered a sermon before the devotees while Mufti Amanul Haque translated the sermon into Bangla.
Two devotees died during the second phase of Biswa Ijtema.
The second phase of 58th Bishwa Ijtema began on Monday with "a'am bayaan" (general sermons) after Fajr prayers.
The first phase of the three-day Bishwa Ijtema ended on February 3.
The third phase of Biswa Ijtema will be held from February 14-16 for Saad followers.
To ensure security of the devotees, thousands of law enforcers have been deployed in and around the Ijtema ground.
Bangladesh Railway to run special trains for Ijtema attendees
Necessary arrangements, including sufficient water supply and healthcare, have been ensured.
Tabligh Jamaat has been organising the congregation in Tongi since 1967. In 2011, it divided Ijtema into two phases to accommodate a large number of attendees.
1 week ago
Bangladesh Railway to run special trains for Ijtema attendees
Bangladesh Railway has arranged seven pairs of special trains to facilitate the smooth transportation of devotees attending the three-day Biswa Ijtema, the world’s second-largest Muslim congregation.
To accommodate the influx of passengers, all inter-city trains—including Subarna Express, Sonar Bangla Express, Cox’s Bazar Express, Tourist Express, and Banalata Express—will make two-minute stopovers at Tongi Station from 12:01 am on January 31 until the Akheri Munajat (final prayer) on February 2.
Extortion: Battery-run autorickshaw drivers block Dhaka-Aricha highway
Additionally, the weekly off day for the Joydebpur Commuter Train has been rescheduled from Saturday to Friday during the Ijtema.
On February 2, the Turag Commuter trains will remain suspended for the Akheri Munajat, and mail trains numbered 11, 12, 45, 46, 9, and 10 will also be halted for the day.
Trains roll back to tracks after running staff calls off strike
To manage the increased number of passengers, additional bogies will be attached to express, commuter, and local trains, along with the operation of special trains. Moreover, temporary booking counters will be set up at Tongi Station to assist travelers.
2 weeks ago
Clash on Ijtema ground: 21 including Saad’s follower get anticipatory bail
The High Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to 21 people including Syed Wasiful, a follower of Maulana Saad Kandlavi, in a case over the violent clashes between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat at the Biswa Ijtema ground in Tongi.
The High Court bench of Justice Mohammad Mahbub-ul Islam and Justice Md Hamidur Rahman granted the bail till the submission of the police report when they sought bail after appearing before the court.
Clash on Ijtema ground: Saad’s follower placed on 2-day remand
Senior lawyer Abdullah Al Mamun stood for them.
Four people were killed and 40 were injured in a clash between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat at the Biswa Ijtema ground in Tongi on December 18, 2024.
On December 19, Maulana Zubair's follower M Alam Hossain filed the murder case against 29 people at the Tongi West Police Station naming Wasiful Islam as the main accused.
1 month ago
Clash on Ijtema ground: Saad’s follower placed on 2-day remand
A Gazipur court on Sunday placed Zia bin Qasim, a follower of Maulana Saad Kandlavi, on a two-day remand in a case over the violent clashes between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat at the Biswa Ijtema ground in Tongi over control of the venue.
Judge of the Gazipur Metropolitan Magistrate Court-5 Iqbal Hossain passed the order when police produced him before the court with a seven-day remand prayer.
Md Ahsan Ullah, Gazipur court inspector said Qasim was produced before the court amid tight security.
Demonstration of dismissed armed forces’ members halts traffic for 3 hrs
The supporters of Zubair staged demonstrations demanding punishment of Qasim.
Police arrested Qasim from Chattogram’s Double Mooring area on Saturday.
He was the number 6 accused in the case filed by Maulana Zubair's follower SM Alam Hossain.
M Alam Hossain filed the murder case with Tongi Police Station against 29 people at the Tongi West Police Station.
Clash on Ijtema ground: Saad’s follower placed on 3-day remand
Another chargesheeted accused in the case Mufti Muaz bin Noor was arrested from Dhaka’s Uttara. He is now in Kashimpur jail.
Four people were killed and 40 others injured in a clash between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat at the Biswa Ijtema ground in Tongi on December 18.
1 month ago
Clash on Ijtema ground: Saad’s follower placed on 3-day remand
A Gazipur court on Sunday placed Mufti Muaz bin Noor, a follower of Maulana Saad Kandlavi, on a three-day remand in a case over the violent clashes between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat at the Biswa Ijtema ground in Tongi over control of the venue.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Alamgir Al Mamun of Gazipur Metropolitan Court passed the order.
Earlier police produced Mufti Noor before the court with a seven-day remand prayer.
Chhatra Dal activist shot dead in Narsingdi
The supporters of Zubair staged demonstrations demanding punishment of Noor.
Tongi police arrested Mufti Muaz bin Noor from Dhaka’s Uttara on December 19.
3 killed in road accidents in Chandpur and Jashore
Maulana Zubair's follower M Alam Hossain filed the murder case with Tongi Police Station on Thursday evening against 29 people at the Tongi West Police Station naming Syed Wasiful Islam as the main accused.
Four people were killed and 40 others injured in a clash between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat at the Biswa Ijtema ground in Tongi on December 18.
1 month ago
Calm prevails at Ijtema ground in Tongi after deadly clashes
The government has taken full control of Tongi’s Biswa Ijtema ground in Gazipur following deadly clashes between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat that left four people dead and over 50 injured.
Members of the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police, and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed around the area to ensure security and prevent further violence.
Additional forces have been deployed on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway and Kamarpara road where suspicious people are being searched and interrogated.
Who is Maulana Saad and what is the controversy around him?
Despite the unrest, a few devotees, followers of Maulana Saad Kandhalvi stayed overnight in a tin-shed mosque on the western bank of the Turag River.
They started leaving the area on Thursday morning.
Deputy Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) N.M. Nasir Uddin said a public notice was issued on Wednesday prohibiting gatherings within a three-kilometer radius of the Ijtema ground.
Devotees were instructed to vacate the area by the evening and the ground was cleared accordingly.
The Ijtema ground will remain under government control until further notice.
Four people were killed and 40 others injured in a clash between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat at the Biswa Ijtema ground in Tongi over the control of the venue early Wednesday.
4 dead, 40 injured in clashes at Ijtema venue
According to Commissioner Nazmul Karim Khan of Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP), the violence erupted when followers of Maulana Saad attempted to enter the venue, prompting a counter-attack by supporters of Maulana Zubair around 3 am.
Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury warned that those responsible for the violence would be held accountable.
1 month ago
4 dead, 40 injured in clashes at Ijtema venue
Four people were killed and 40 others injured in a clash between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat at the Biswa Ijtema ground in Tongi over the control of the venue early Wednesday.
The deceased include Amirul Islam Bachhu, 70, from Kishoreganj, Bilal Hossain, 60, from Faridpur, and Tajul Islam, 70, from Bogura.
The identity of the fourth victim remains unknown.
Will hold long march to take control of Ijtema ground: Spokesperson of Zubair faction
According to Commissioner Nazmul Karim Khan of Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP), the violence erupted when followers of Maulana Saad attempted to enter the venue, prompting a counter-attack by supporters of Maulana Zubair around 3 am.
The clash left four dead and 40 injured, with 35 people receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Seven of the injured were admitted.
Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury warned that those responsible for the violence would be held accountable.
Following meetings with both factions, he said discussions were going on, and the government was committed to resolving the dispute and providing medical assistance to the injured.
The government has scheduled the first phase of Biswa Ijtema for Zubair’s followers from January 31 to February 2, while the second phase for Saad’s faction will occur from February 7 to 9.
However, opposition to this decision has heightened tensions.
Maulana Zubair’s followers demand ban on Maulana Saad's group
Security measures have been intensified at the venue, with four Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) platoons deployed.
Besides, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has banned gatherings, processions, and demonstrations in nearby areas.
Maulana Mamunul Haque, a key leader of Zubair’s group, demanded that the government ban Saad’s followers from organising Ijtema gatherings, accusing them of collaborating with anti-Bangladesh forces.
He also announced plans to file a case over the recent violence.
Meanwhile, Mufti Amanul Haq, a spokesperson for the Zubair faction, threatened a long march to seize control of the venue if Saad’s followers do not leave.
Home Adviser warns of strict action over Biswa Ijtema killings
At a press conference at Kakrail Mosque, he vowed to seek the highest level of justice and declared that no Saad follower would be allowed to enter Kakrail Mosque in the future.
In light of the escalating tensions, both factions have agreed to vacate the Ijtema ground temporarily, respecting the government’s request to maintain peace and avoid further clashes.
1 month ago
2nd day of Ijtema: Devotees converging on Ijtema ground
On the second day of the second phase of 57th Biswa Ijtema the devotees on Saturday listened to scholars recitation and explanation of verses from the Quran.Several lakhs of devotees including seven thousand foreign pilgrims from several countries have gathered on the Ijtema ground and continued spiritual activities, including the recitation of Allah’s divine names and sermons.
The second phase of Bishwa Ijtema began on Friday with aam bayaan (general sermons) after Fajr prayers on by Maulana Ilyas Bin Saad of India. The sermon was translated into Bangla by Maulana Munir Bin Yusuf.Maulana Syed Bin Saad of India delivered sermons after Fajr prayer on Saturday and Maulana Mufti Osama Islam translated it into Bangla.
Read more: DMP, GMP set road, parking plans during IjtemaBesides, Maulana Abdul Azim, Maulana Sharif and Maulana Osman will deliver sermons the whole day respectively.Devotees from different parts of the country are still coming to the Ijtema venue on the banks of Turag River by buses, trucks, boats and on foot.The second phase of Ijtema will end Sunday with Akheri Munajat (final prayers).A mass wedding ceremony will be held today at the ground after Asr prayers.
Two Ijtema attendees die in Tongi road accidentMeanwhile, more than 6,000 members of the law enforcement have been deployed to perform duties in the Ijtema area. Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Mahbub Alam said there is a strong security system in place for this phase, as was the case in the first phase.By Thursday night, a total of six people died during Ijtema. Media coordinator Mohammad Sayem said they died due to old age illness.Tabligh Jamaat has been organising the congregation at the venue since 1967. In 2011, it divided Ijtema into two phases to accommodate a large number of attendees.
Second phase of Biswa Ijtema begins on banks of Turag
1 year ago
2nd phase of Biswa Ijtema begins Friday
The second phase of the three-day ‘Biswa Ijtema’, one of the largest congregations of Muslims in the world, will begin on Friday morning on the bank of the Turag River in Gazipur's Tongi.
The authorities have completed the necessary preparations to hold the religious gathering smoothly.
Six men die on Biswa Ijtema ground
A good number of foreign devotees from different parts of the world along with Bangladeshis have already thronged the Ijtema venue.
The second phase of Ijtema will start after fajr prayers through ‘Aam Bayan’ on Friday and will end on Sunday (Feb 11) through Akheri Munajat.
First phase of Biswa Ijtema begins
Devotees from different foreign countries including India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Europe, America and Africa have reached the venue.
Meanwhile, members of law enforcement agencies will be deployed to maintain law and order at the Ijtema venue and adjacent areas. Besides, plainclothes police and intelligence officers will remain deployed in the area.
All out measures taken for fire safety for devotees in Biswa Ijtema: FSCD
The first phase of Bishwa Ijtema ended on February 4 at the same venue starting on February 2.
1 year ago
Indians attending Ijtema start returning home through Benapole
Muslim devotees who attended the first phase of three-day Biswa Ijtema from neighbouring India have started returning home through Benapole land port in Jashore on Monday (February 05, 2024) morning.
Sources at the port’s immigration office said that a huge number of devotees came to Bangladesh from several states of India to participate the Ijtema that ended on Sunday with Akheri Munajat on the banks of the Turag River in Tongi.
Read: Two Ijtema attendees die in Tongi road accident
The Indian devotees were seen standing in queues of Benapole’s Immigration customs to return home in the early morning.
Benapole Immigration police station’s Officer-in-Charge (investigation) Shafiq Ahmed said there are additional officers so that the devotees face no hassles during departure from Bangladesh.
Read more: Two Ijtema attendees die in Tongi road accident
1 year ago