The second phase of 53rd Biswa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of Muslims after Hajj, will begin on the bank of the Turag River at Tongi in Gazipur after Fajr prayer on Friday.

Gazipur district administration and other relevant authorities completed all preparations for the Ijtema, reports the UNB.

The ijtema will begin with an ‘aam bayan’ (general sermons) after Fajr prayer.

Thousands of devotees from home and abroad started congregating on the bank of the Turag River to take part in the religious event to seek divine blessings of the Almighty Allah.

The second phase of the Ijtema will end through ‘Akheri Munajat’ on 21 January (Sunday).

A seven-tier security measures have been taken for the event.

Several thousand members of different law enforcement agencies will remain deployed in and around the Ijtema ground for ensuring security of the devotees.

Besides, special measures were taken to ease the traffic system.

Around 50 CCTVs were installed there to monitor the Ijtema ground and the adjoining areas.

The first phase of Biswa Ijtema was held at the same venue on 13-15 January.

The Biswa Ijtema is being arranged by the River Turag since 1967. It is being held in two phases since 2011 to ease the accommodation and transportation problem.