TONGI: Thousands of Muslim devotees prayed Juma prayer on the bank of river Turag at Tongiin the second phase of Biswa Ijtema, the largest congregation of Muslims after hajj on Friday amid nationwide blockade called by BNP-led 20-party alliance.

However, the second phase of 50th congregation began with religious sermons delivered by Pakistani Islamic scholar Maulana Ismail Hossain Godrar after the Fajr prayers.

The devotees from the 33 districts along with hundreds of foreign devotees joined the second phase which began on Friday through delivering Amboyan amidst ongoing blockade of the BNP-led alliance.

The districts are Narayanganj, Dhaka, Cox's Bazar, Manikganj, Pirojpur, Patuakhali, Tangail, Jamalpur, Barisal, Netrakona, Comilla, Meherpur, Jhenidah, Mymensingh, Laxmipur, Brahmanbaria, Kurigram, Bogra, Panchagarh, Chapainawabganj, Nilphamari, Noakhali, Thakurgaon, Pabna, Naogaon, Munshiganj, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Satkhira, Kushtia, Magura, Sunamganj, Khulna and Moulvibazar, said organizers.

The several religious sermons by Islamic scholars on Islam have started after the Juma prayer seeking divine blessings for the Muslim Ummah. Bangladeshi maulana Nurur Rahman conveyed the sermons converting into bangla.

Government sources said a total of 4,300 foreign devotees from 88 countries joined the second phase Ijtema till 12:00am Friday.

Gazipur police super M Harunur Rashid told banglanews that security measures have been beefed up to ensure security of the Muslim devotees including foreigners. Apart from deployment of police and RAB, members of Border Guard Bangladesh have been deployed in the area.

The second phase of the second largest congregation of Muslims will come to an end on Sunday morning amid Akheri Munajat.

Earlier on January 11, the first phase of Bishwa Ijtema ended with ‘Akheri Munajat’ seeking spiritual blessing and welfare of the Muslim Ummah.

Indian Islamic scholar Mawlana Saad had conducted the Munajat.

** Thousands gather for 2nd phase Ijtema

BDST: 1556 HRS, JAN 16, 2015