File photo of Muslim devotees during the final prayers of Bishwa Ijtema on the banks of Turag River at Tongi on January 2018 Rajib Dhar/Dhaka TribuneThis year’s Bishwa Ijtema will be held in a single phase from February 15 to 18Preparations for the 54th Biswa Ijtema—the world’s second-largest congregation of the Muslim community after the holy Hajj—are almost complete on the banks of the Turag River at Tongi in Gazipur; as last-minute arrangements are being arranged. Also Read- SSC exams rescheduled for Bishwa IjtemaEngineer Maulana Gias Uddin, senior member of the Bishwa Ijtema organizing committee said: "Tomorrow we will complete all preparations for the 54th Bishwa Ijtema. Bangladesh Army has installed seven temporary floating bridges to ease movement of the hundreds of thousands of devoted Muslims participating in the 54th Bishwa Ijtema. It is almost impossible for these people to participate in the Bishwa Ijtema on such a short notice, fulfilling all the visa requirements. However, this year—due to the clashes of the two Tabligh Jamaat factions— preparations and arrangements regarding the Bishwa Ijtema started just 8 days before the 54th Bishwa Ijtema is scheduled to take place.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 13, 2019 11:15 UTC