DHAKA: The first phase of Biswa Ijtema, the world’s second-largest congregation of Muslims, will begin at the bank of the Turag River in Tongi on Friday.   

The Ijtema will be held in two phases, first phase from January 24-26 and the second from January 31-February 2.

Thousands Muslim devotees from across country and few other neighboring Muslim countries have already started to come to the Ijtema ground from Thursday.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted the Muslims both at home and abroad on the occasion of the Bishwa Ijtema.  

BDST: 2017 HRS, JAN 23, 2014