More than 15 lakh devotees participated in the Juma prayers at this year's Biswa Ijtema yesterday, the first day of the second largest Muslim congregation after the Hajj, on the bank of Turag River in the suburban town of Tongi.
Some 3,500 foreign pilgrims from more than 40 countries are also taking part in the event. They are staying in a camp designated for them at the northern side of the ground. More foreign delegates are on the way.
More than 15 thousand security personnel including 6,500 police brought in from the districts, 1,000 troops of Rapid Action Battalion, 500 members of Armed Police Battalion and 300 ansars were deployed in the area.