DHAKA: Bishwa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of Muslims after the hajj, will begin on January 9 in 2015 on the bank of the river Turag at Tongi in Gazipur district, adjacent to the capital.

The government took the decision on Monday noon at a meeting on the overall law and order situation of upcoming Ijtema at home affairs ministry.

However, like previous years, the Ijtema will be held in two phases. After the finishing of first phase of Ijtema, which will be held on January 9 to 11 and the second phase will be started on January 16, and it will continue till January 18.

On the other hand, the people of five Ebola-affected West African countries will not be allowed to join the Ijtema this year.

The state minister for home affairs, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, after the meeting, said the people of five Ebola-affected West African countries will not be allowed to join the Ijtema this year.

BDST: 1612 HRS, NOV 26, 2014