TONGI: The five-day 'Jor Ijtema', a key preparatory event leading up to the Biswa Ijtema, has commenced on the banks of the Turag River at Tongi, starting early Friday. The event began with a general sermon delivered by Pakistani cleric Nayeem Shah, following the Fazr prayer. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Jor Ijtema typically occurs 40 days before the start of the Biswa Ijtema and is scheduled to conclude on December 3. The gathering has seen an influx of followers of Tablighi-Jammat and religious scholars from across the country. Initially, the followers of Maulana Jobair are participating in this first phase of the Jor Ijtema, while the followers of Maulana Saad will attend the second phase from December 20 to 24. Tabligh Jamaat Bangladesh Shurai Nejam's Media Coordinator, Habibullah Raihan, confirmed the commencement of the event, noting that Pakistani cleric Naeem Shah delivered a sermon after Fajr and before Jumma, with a contribution from Farooq Saheb of Bangalore. Post-Jumma, Maulana Rabiul Haque Saheb provided a sermon after Asr, followed by Maulana Omar Farooq Saheb after Maghrib. The Biswa Ijtema is set to proceed with the first phase, involving followers of Maulana Jobair, from January 31 to February 2. The second phase, featuring followers of Maulana Saad Ahmed, will take place from February 7 to February 9, concluding with the Akheri Munajat.
