Travel blog : I went to the largest Islamic religious gathering in Ijtema Maidan, Gazipur, Bangladesh.

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Assalamu Alaikum steemian friends. Hope you all are well. By the grace of Allah I am also well. So today I come to you with a religious travel blog. In the morning, when the sun had not risen in the sky, after Fajr prayer, I and my cousin left for Ijtema on the highway.

The road seemed to be completely lost in the thick fog of the winter morning, only a coil of lights was floating ahead. There was very little traffic on the road. Due to the fog, the illuminated signal was also becoming dim, yet it was as if we were moving forward in a silent environment. I felt as if I was only moving forward in the path of God through this fog. I made a video in this situation.

Ijtema is a large Islamic religious gathering usually held annually in Bangladesh. It is originally known as Vishwa Ijtema and is one of the largest gatherings of Tablighi Jamaat. Vishwa Ijtema is usually held on the banks of the Turag River in Tongir and is attended by millions of worshipers who gather here for Islamic teachings, prayers and religious discussions. So in the beginning we got down from the bus at the flyover at Tongi station.

Tongi station

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The Ijtema Maidan on the Tongi station from the elevated expressway looked like a huge crowd. The entire area should be filled with worshipers like an ocean. Looking from a distance, it can be seen that millions of people have gathered in white clothes and the whole field is covered with tents and samiana. I went for the 1st time so the feeling was great.

Location of Ijtema Maidan, Gazipur

Basically Vishwa Ijtema Maidan is spread over about 160 acres of land of about 64.74 hectares. It is located in the Tongi area of ​​Gazipur district, on the banks of Turag river. However, as the number of pilgrims participating increases greatly every year, the surrounding areas and roads are also used during the Ijtema, thereby practically expanding its scope.

Then we walked inside. I walked far. There a famous sweet shop came to everyone's attention. A Pakistani sweets stall called "Pehelwan Sweets Reori" has become quite popular among the devotees in Vishwa Ijtema. Devotees are attracted by offering this sweet made of sesame seeds and ghee free. But if you want extra sweet, you have to buy it and it costs Tk 1,500 per kg which many think is too much.

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Then I went to the blanket market. On the occasion of Biswa Ijtema, shops of blankets and winter clothes around the Tongi Ijtema Maidan are very popular among worshippers. Devotees flock to these shops to escape from the severe winter. Good quality blankets are available in stores for between Tk 400 and Tk 600 but there are also blankets priced higher than this. Demand for other winter clothing is also significant.

According to traders, sales of seasonal traders increased due to Ijtema and the demand for blankets and winter clothing increased significantly. However, depending on the number of devotees and the severity of winter, the sales volume may vary. We heard these in their mouths. Then I took some pictures.

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After calling the adhan, we quickly got ready for the prayer. We went to the huge ablution to perform ablution. Temporary toilets have been constructed at various places in the Ijtema grounds. Turag river water is used for irrigation but pipelines and water tanks are also provided for safe water.

Then I went inside the big room to pray. The entire Ijtema Maidan becomes an open space like a large Eidgah, where millions of worshipers can pray together. Sound systems are installed in areas near the main bayan stage so that the worshipers can hear the imam's voice. Many people bring their own prayers, but there is a provision for praying on the ground with mats and mats. We prayed there.

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Mainly the life of Muslims participating in Viswa Ijtema is quite systematic and limited to religious discipline. They are busy with worship, religious education and collective activities throughout the day. The Muslims get up early in the morning and offer the Tahajjud prayer. Fajr congregation is followed by Tafseer and Bayan, where Islamic teachings are imparted through religious discussion.

In the afternoon various Islamic speakers give narrations in the light of Quran and Hadith which the worshipers listen attentively. Some recite and dhikr privately. Devotees usually bring their own food or buy food from nearby shops. Many congregations cook and eat together. For rest, many people have to stay in tents or open fields and sleep on mats or blankets. That is the rule there. Anyway after that we went out to visit the whole area. There was a road in the middle where we saw and videoed the activities of the people around.

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We saw various businesses built along the banks of the Turag River. Business activities increased during World Ijtema. Millions of people gather during Vishwa Ijtema which creates opportunities for many businesses. As with Ijtema-centric businesses,

01	Food stalls	Khichuri, roti-bhaji, tea, jhalmuri, haleem etc. are sold.
02	Sale of warm clothes and blankets	During the winter season, the number of sellers of blankets, sheets, sweaters and hats increases.
03	Sale of Tents and Namaz	Tabernacles for temporary accommodation and namaz chats are sold for worshippers.
04	Islamic Books and Tasbeeh	Shops for religious books, tasbeeh, perfumes, hats etc.
05	Medicines and medical services	First aid and first aid shops are set up.

In the presence of lakhs of worshippers, the entire area looks like a human stream covered with white cloth. People are performing ablutions by the river, many are sitting listening to religious talks or praying. Long queues at eateries, the hawking of Islamic book and hat sellers and the hustle and bustle of itinerant traders all add up to a lively atmosphere.

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Biswa Ijtema and life along the Turag River has become a popular and important place for worshipers not only in Bangladesh but also from many countries around the world.

• Bangladesh : Ijtema is one of the religious traditions for the people of Bangladesh. But business opportunities along the banks of the Iztema and Turag rivers are also important to many locals.

• Pakistan : Many Muslims come from Pakistan to participate in Ijtema, especially members of Tabligh Jamaat.

• India : The Muslim population of India, especially from the states of North India, participate in Ijtema in large numbers.

• Malaysia : Malaysian pilgrims also come to participate in Ijtema every year.

• Arab countries : Muslims from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Arab countries also come to participate in Ijtema.

• Indonesia : Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim country, also sends a large number of pilgrims to Ijtema.

• Thailand, Philippines, Singapore : Muslims from these countries also come to the banks of Ijtema and Turag rivers to fulfill various business and physical needs.

• Australia and European countries : Muslim communities from these countries also come to Bangladesh and participate in Ijtema or religious activities.

Apart from this, Turag River and Ijtema have become a special attraction for the expatriates of many Muslim countries who live in Bangladesh. These Muslims from all over the world congregate here for Islamic education and spiritual growth which has made Turag River and Ijtema internationally popular. See thousands of people moving in the picture below.

It was the best trip of my life. It is the final prayer that we wait for. Akhiri Monajat is the concluding prayer of Biswa Ijtema which is held on the last day of Ijtema and is a very holy and special moment for the pilgrims. It is the final phase of prayers and supplications that worshipers pray to Allah in unison. Lakhs of worshipers gather at the Ijtema grounds to participate in the prayers and pray to Allah with the same purpose. Here language and national differences are erased and surrendered to the court of Allah with one mind.

In the final prayer, the worshipers pray for the unity and brotherhood of the Muslim Ummah so that all Muslims can help each other and live according to religious values. Millions of worshipers gather in the field during the last prayer. Silence prevails in the entire field, only the voice of the imam is heard, creating an unprecedented spiritual feeling. At this moment, some worshipers burst into tears and some prayed to Allah in a loud voice. The video link of this day's prayer is given.