Second phase of Bishwa Ijtema underway

The second phase of Bishwa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of the Muslims, began on the bank of the Turag River at Tongi, on the outskirts of the city, on Friday.

The Ijtema began with the “Aam Bayan” (general sermons) by noted Islamic scholar Maulana Osman from Pakistan after Fajr prayers. His sermon was translated into Bengali by Maulana Zia bin Qasim.

Maulana Saad Ahmed Kandhalvi, the top instructor of the World Tablighi Jamaat, is not coming to this year's Ijtema. His eldest son Maulana Yusuf Kandhalvi will lead the jumma prayers and the final prayer in the second Ijtema, said Mohammad Sayem, media coordinator of the Bishwa Ijtema.

Maulana Yusuf Kandhalvi began his speech at about 10am which is being translated to Bangla by Maulana Munir bin Yusuf. 

Bangladeshi Maulana Syed Wasiful Islam will recite after jumma prayers, his son Saeed bin Saad Kandhalvi will recite after Asr which will be translated to Bengali by Mufti Azim Uddin, Maulana Ilyas bin Saad Kandhalvi will recite after Magrib which will be translated in Bengali by Maulana Zia bin Qasim.

Dhaka Tribune

Apart from the three brothers, a congregation of seven including Maulana Hasan, son-in-law of Maulana Saad's daughter, who accompanied them, is staying with top Shura members in a foreign tent at Ijtema ground.

On Saturday, India's Maulana Yakub will deliver his speech after Fajr prayer, Maulana Munir bin Yusuf will translate his speech into Bengali, Maulana Omar of Turkey will speak after Zuhr prayer, Maulana Ilyas bin Saad Kandhalvi will speak after Asr prayer, Maulana Osama Islam will translate his speech into Bengali and Maulana Abdus Sattar of India will speak after Maghrib prayer, his speech will be translated into Bengali by Maulana Zia bin Qasim.

Gazipur Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anisur Rahman said that 4,000 foreign pilgrims from 54 countries have already come to the second phase of Ijtema. Eighteen mobile courts of the district administration are working to ensure safe food for the pilgrims coming for Ijtema.

Bangladeshi Maulana Mursalin of India will give a speech after Fajr prayer on Sunday, Maulana Yusuf bin Saad Kandhalvi of India will give a Hedayati Bayan, and Maulana Zia bin Qasim will translate his speech in Bengali. Maulana Yusuf Kandhalvi, eldest son of Maulana Saad Kandhalvi, will then lead the last prayer.