The second phase of 53rd Biswa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of the Muslims after Hajj, will begin on the Turag in Tongi after Fazr prayers today.

The Ijtema will begin with an a'm bayan (general sermon). The Gazipur district administration and other relevant authorities completed all preparations for the event.

Thousands of devotees from home and abroad have started gathering at the Ijtema venue to take part in the religious event to seek divine blessings of Allah.

The second phase of the Ijtema will end through Akheri Munajat on Sunday.

A seven-tier security measure has been put in place for holding the event peacefully. Several thousand law enforcers will remain deployed in and around the Ijtema ground to ensure security of the devotees.

Besides, special measures have been taken to ease traffic.

Around 50 CCTV cameras were installed there to monitor the Ijtema ground and the adjoining areas.

The first phase of Biswa Ijtema was held at the same venue on January 13-15.

The Biswa Ijtema is being orgranised by the Turag since 1967. It is being held in two phases since 2011 to ease the accommodation and transportation problems.