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			{{Islamic culture}}
	{{Infobox event
			The '''Bishwa Ijtema''' ({{lang-bn\|বিশ্ব ইজতেমা}}, meaning Global Congregation) is an annual gathering of ] in ], by the banks of the River ], in the outskirts of ], ]. It is the second largest ] congregation after the ].<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/bangladesh/12088120/What-is-the-festival-of-Bishwa-Ijtema-and-where-is-it-held.html</ref><ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4069759.stm</ref><ref>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-2903415/Muslims-condemn-Paris-massacre-Bangladeshs-mini-Hajj.html</ref><ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1106912.stm</ref> It is one of the ]. The Ijtema is a prayer meeting spread over three days, during which attending devotees perform daily prayers while listening to scholars reciting and explaining verses from the ]. It culminates in the ''Akheri Munajat'', or the Final Prayer, in which millions of devotees raise their hands towards ] and pray for ].<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4069759.stm</ref><ref>http://www.thedailystar.net/country/biswa-ijtema-akheri-munajat-begins-199777</ref> The Ijtema is considered a demonstration of Muslim unity, solidarity, mutual love and respect and an opportunity to reiterate their commitment to Islamic values.<ref>http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Viswa_Ijtema</ref>
	\| title = Bishwa Ijtema
	\| image = Run to land of sacrifice(World congregation of muslim nation) 2012.jpg
	\| caption = 2012 event
	\| venue = ], ]
	\| also_known_as = {{Plainlist\|
	* Bisho Ijtema
	* Bishwa Tablighi Ijtema
	}}
	\| cause = For the Enlightenment of Muslims and to spread the message of peace
	\| organisers = ]
	}}

			The Ijtema is non-political, and therefore it draws people of all persuasion. It is attended by devotees from 150 countries.<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/bangladesh/12088120/What-is-the-festival-of-Bishwa-Ijtema-and-where-is-it-held.html</ref> The majority of its devotees come from across Bangladesh, the world's third largest Muslim majority country. Speakers include Islamic scholars from various countries. The president, prime minister and leader of the opposition of Bangladesh are usually in attendance each year.<ref>http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-265093</ref>
	'''Bishwa Ijtema''' (or '''Bishsho Istema''', {{lang-bn\|বিশ্ব ইজতেমা}}, the World or Global Congregation or Meeting) is an annual ] held at ], ] by the river ]. It is the 2nd largest Muslim congregation in the world after ].{{Citation needed\|date=May 2016}} The event focuses on prayers and supplication and does not allow political discussion.<ref name="reuters">; Reuters.CO.UK; February 2, 2007</ref> The local police estimated the number of attendees of 2007 ] to be 3 million<ref name="iht.com">; The Associated Press Published: February 3, 2007</ref> while in 2010 the number of attendees was 5 million.

			==Etymology==
⚫	]
			''Ijtema'' is an ] which means public gathering.<ref>http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Viswa_Ijtema</ref> In ], the event is known as the "Bishwa Ijtema". ''Bishwa'' is the Bengali word which means world.
⚫	]
	The first meeting was reportedly held in 1946<ref name="star">, The Daily Star, December 22, 2003.</ref> (although various sources indicate other dates for this) and continues to be organized by the Bangladesh Tablighi Jamaat. It lasts three days and is attended by over five million Muslims, making it one of the largest congregations after the ] to ] and the gathering of Muslims in Karbala, Iraq to commemorate Arbaeen. (Hajj is mandatory and a ], whereas the Ijtema is neither). The program concludes with the ''Akheri Munajat'', or final prayer. The tradition of ''Ijtema'' was initiated by an ]n savant named ] and began as a small group of religious-minded individuals gathering at a local mosque. For forty-one years Tongi has been the chosen location, although similar programs are held on a lesser scale in other countries. The ''Ijtema'' is non-political, and therefore it draws people of all persuasion. Prayer is held for the spiritual adulation, exaltation and welfare of the Muslims community. This immensely popular program gives the people of Bangladesh an opportunity to interact with Muslims from other countries and is commonly attended by prominent political figures.

			==Organization==
	The congregation takes place at an area comprising {{convert\|160\|acre\|km2}} of land (0.25 square mile). Devotees from approximately 150 countries, including the host country, Bangladesh, attend the three-day Ijtema seeking divine blessings from ]. In recent years, over twenty thousand foreign delegates attend the congregation each year. Special rates are provided by ] world wonder fund.
			The event is organized in ] by the Bangladeshi chapter of the ]. The congregation takes place in an area that spans over five square kilometers in an outer suburb of Dhaka.<ref>http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Viswa_Ijtema</ref> An extensive ] is created in the area with the help of the ]. Transport is provided by the state-run companies, including ], the ] and the ] (BTRC). The ] assists by providing arranging infrastructure. Despite the large number of devotees living within a confined space, generally there are very few problems of sanitation, cooking, and internal movements. It is believed to be possible because of the minimalist approach adopted by the devotees. Devotees have reduced their own requirements and developed a respect for others' requirements. During the Final Prayer, huge crowds stretch from the Ijtema ground in Tongi into the Dhaka metropolitan area. Schools and offices are declared closed on the occasion.

			==History==
	Despite the large number of devotees living within a confined space, generally there are very few problems of sanitation, cooking, and internal movements. It is believed to be possible because of the minimalist approach adopted by the devotees. Devotees have reduced their own requirements and developed a respect for others' requirements.
			The Bengali Tabhlighi Jamaat movement started in Dhaka, ] during the 1950s. The first Ijtemas were organized in ] (1954) and ] (1958), followed Ijtemas at the ] in Dhaka in 1960, 1962 and 1965.<ref>http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Viswa_Ijtema</ref> The government of undivided Pakistan allowed the organizers to schedule the event annually by the River Turag in 1967.<ref>http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Viswa_Ijtema</ref> Later, the government of Bangladesh allotted 160 acres of land for holding the event.<ref>http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Viswa_Ijtema</ref>

			==Number of devotees==
	] revived the ] movement in 1927 at ] of ], ] and at the same time organized regional congregation or Ijtema. In course of time, Ijtema movement spread throughout the subcontinent and also influenced other regions. After the ] in 1947, three Ijtema centres developed in three parts of the subcontinent - India, ] and ]. Biswa Ijtema at ] is the annual Tabligh congregation of the current Bangladesh. In addition to Tongi, Ijtemas are now held in ], ] and ], ], ]. However, in terms of popular attendance, the Tongi Ijtema is the largest of all these congregations.<ref name="iht.com"/>
			In 2001, the number of attendees was 2 million.<ref>http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Viswa_Ijtema</ref> In 2010, devotees numbered 5 million.<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/bangladesh/12088120/What-is-the-festival-of-Bishwa-Ijtema-and-where-is-it-held.html</ref>

			===Foreign devotees===
⚫	In 2008, the event had to be cut short to only one day due to rain and cold weather which left three attendees dead.<ref></ref>
			Estimates of foreign devotees are 20,000-50,000. They come all parts of the world, including other parts of the South Asian ], ] and ], ], ], the ], ] and the ].<ref>http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-bangladesh-religion-ijtema-idUKDHA10181920070202</ref><ref>http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Viswa_Ijtema</ref>
	==Expansion==
	] going for the ''Akeri Monajat'' to Tongi, 2013 (Phase II)]]The group began to expand its activities in 1946, and within two decades the group reached Southwest and Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America.<ref name=p514>{{Harvard citation no brackets\|Marty\|1994\|p=514}}</ref> The Tabligh Jamaat's aversion to politics, and also its lack of any direct and practical Economic-Political-Social viewpoints, like the occupation of Palestine helped it enter and operate in societies, especially western countries and societies where politically active religious groups faced severe restrictions.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets\|Marty\|1994\|p=524}}</ref>

			==Overcrowding and weather==
	The first foreign missions were sent to the Hejaz and Britain in 1946.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets\|Masud\|2000\|p=127}}</ref> The next nation to receive Tablighi Jamaat missionaries was the United States. During the 1970s and 1980s the Tablighi Jamaat established a large presence in continental Europe.<ref name=k261>{{Harvard citation no brackets\|Kepel\|2004\|p=261}}</ref>
			Due to increasing overcrowding, the Ijtema was divided into two segments with an interval of seven days from 2010.<ref>http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Viswa_Ijtema</ref> The first phase is allowed for devotees from 32 designated Bangladeshi districts. The second phase allows devotees from the remaining districts of the country.<ref>http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Viswa_Ijtema</ref> Foreign devotees are allowed in both phases.

		⚫	In 2008, the event had to be cut short to only one day due to rain and cold weather which left three attendees dead.<ref></ref>
	The construction of the ] in ], England commenced in 1978 and subsequently became the European headquarters of the Tablighi Jamaat. This centre holds one major gathering annually, generally in Dewsbury itself. It has also constructed a busy ], called the ].<ref name=Norfolk/>

			==Comparison with other Muslim gatherings==
	Introduced in France in 1960s, Tablighi Jamaat grew significantly in the two decades following 1970.<ref name="france">{{cite news\|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/28/world/europe/28iht-muslim.html\|title=French Islamic group offers rich soil for militancy\|last=Smith\|first=Craig\|date=29 April 2005\|publisher=The New York Times\|accessdate=22 February 2010}}</ref> Tabligh Jamaat declined around 1989, although some members still represent it in the ].<ref name=k261/> During the first half-decade of the 21st century Tablighi Jamaat went through a major revival in France, reaching 100,000 followers by 2006.<ref name=daily>{{cite news\|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\08\13\story_13-8-2006_pg3_4 \| title=Tableeghi Jamaat: all that you know and don’t \|accessdate=21 January 2010 \| date=13 August 2006\|author=Khalid Hasan\| publisher=Daily Times}}</ref> However, the United Kingdom is the current focus of the movement in the Europe, primarily due to the large South Asian population that began to arrive there in the 1960s.<ref name=Eva>{{cite web
			Unlike the ], the Ijtema is not one of the five pillars of Islam. However, due to its sheer size, the Ijtema has been called Bangladesh's "mini-Hajj".<ref>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-2903415/Muslims-condemn-Paris-massacre-Bangladeshs-mini-Hajj.html</ref> Other major congregations in the Muslim world include ] pilgrimages in ].
	\| last =Howenstein
	\| first = Nicholas
	\| title = Islamist Networks: The Case of Tablighi Jamaat
	\|author2=Dr. Eva Borreguero
	\| url = http://www.usip.org/resources/islamist-networks-case-tablighi-jamaat
	\| accessdate =14 June 2007 }}</ref> By 2007, Tabligh members were situated at 600 of Britain's 1,350 mosques.<ref name=Norfolk>{{cite news
	\| last =Norfolk
	\| first = Andrew
	\| title = Muslim group behind 'mega-mosque' seeks to convert all Britain
	\| url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article2419524.ece
	\| format = ece
	\| publisher = TimesOnline
	\| accessdate =7 April 2008
	\| location=London
	\| date=10 September 2007}}</ref>

			==Gallery==
	After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the movement made inroads into Central Asia. As of 2007, it was estimated that 10,000 Tabligh Jamaat members could be found in ].<ref name=rotar>{{cite web
			<gallery>
	\| last = Rotar
		⚫	File:Biswa Ijtema Dhaka Bangladesh.jpg\|Devotees in the Dhaka metropolitan area
	\| first = Igor
			File:Bishwa Iztema Dhaka Airport Rail Staion by Mayeenul Islam.JPG\|Devotees at a Dhaka railway station
	\| authorlink = Igor Rotar
			File:Biswa Ijtema Dhaka Bangladesh 24012010.JPG\|Devotees on the ]
	\| title = Pakistani Islamic Missionary Group Establishes a Strong Presence in Central Asia
			</gallery>
	\| publisher = EurasiaNet
	\| date = 23 June 2007
	\| url = http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav072307a.shtml
	\| accessdate = 20 November 2008}}</ref>

	The ] believes that nearly 50,000 members of Tablighi Jamaat are active in the United States.<ref name=fred/> As of 2008, the organisation had a presence in nearly 213 countries and a total following of between 100 and 150 million people. By some measures this made Tablighi Jamaat the largest Muslim movement in the world. The majority of the followers of the Tablighi Jamaat live in South Asia.<ref name=fred>{{cite web\|url=http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/tablighi_jamaat_indirect_line_terrorism\|title=Tablighi Jamaat: An Indirect Line to Terrorism\|last=Burton\|first=Fred\|author2=Scott Stewart \|date=23 January 2008\|publisher=Stratfor Intelligence\|accessdate=10 August 2009}}</ref><ref name=sameer>{{cite web\|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-2223665,prtpage-1.cms \| title=Tabligh, or the enigma of revival \| author=Sameer Arshad \| date=22 July 2007 \| accessdate=2 May 2009 \| publisher=Times of India}}</ref>

	==See also==		==See also==
	*]		*]

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist\|2}}		{{reflist\|2}}

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The Bishwa Ijtema (Template:Lang-bn, meaning Global Congregation) is an annual gathering of Muslims in Tongi, by the banks of the River Turag, in the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is the second largest Islamic congregation after the Hajj. It is one of the largest peaceful gatherings in the world. The Ijtema is a prayer meeting spread over three days, during which attending devotees perform daily prayers while listening to scholars reciting and explaining verses from the Quran. It culminates in the Akheri Munajat, or the Final Prayer, in which millions of devotees raise their hands towards Mecca and pray for world peace. The Ijtema is considered a demonstration of Muslim unity, solidarity, mutual love and respect and an opportunity to reiterate their commitment to Islamic values.

The Ijtema is non-political, and therefore it draws people of all persuasion. It is attended by devotees from 150 countries. The majority of its devotees come from across Bangladesh, the world's third largest Muslim majority country. Speakers include Islamic scholars from various countries. The president, prime minister and leader of the opposition of Bangladesh are usually in attendance each year.

Etymology

Ijtema is an Arabic which means public gathering. In Bengali, the event is known as the "Bishwa Ijtema". Bishwa is the Bengali word which means world.

Organization

The event is organized in January by the Bangladeshi chapter of the Tablighi Jamaat. The congregation takes place in an area that spans over five square kilometers in an outer suburb of Dhaka. An extensive tent is created in the area with the help of the Government of Bangladesh. Transport is provided by the state-run companies, including Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the Bangladesh Railway and the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BTRC). The Bangladesh Armed Forces assists by providing arranging infrastructure. Despite the large number of devotees living within a confined space, generally there are very few problems of sanitation, cooking, and internal movements. It is believed to be possible because of the minimalist approach adopted by the devotees. Devotees have reduced their own requirements and developed a respect for others' requirements. During the Final Prayer, huge crowds stretch from the Ijtema ground in Tongi into the Dhaka metropolitan area. Schools and offices are declared closed on the occasion.

History

The Bengali Tabhlighi Jamaat movement started in Dhaka, East Pakistan during the 1950s. The first Ijtemas were organized in Chittagong (1954) and Narayanganj (1958), followed Ijtemas at the Ramna Race Course in Dhaka in 1960, 1962 and 1965. The government of undivided Pakistan allowed the organizers to schedule the event annually by the River Turag in 1967. Later, the government of Bangladesh allotted 160 acres of land for holding the event.

Number of devotees

In 2001, the number of attendees was 2 million. In 2010, devotees numbered 5 million.

Foreign devotees

Estimates of foreign devotees are 20,000-50,000. They come all parts of the world, including other parts of the South Asian Subcontinent, Russia and Central Asia, Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and the United States.

Overcrowding and weather

Due to increasing overcrowding, the Ijtema was divided into two segments with an interval of seven days from 2010. The first phase is allowed for devotees from 32 designated Bangladeshi districts. The second phase allows devotees from the remaining districts of the country. Foreign devotees are allowed in both phases.

In 2008, the event had to be cut short to only one day due to rain and cold weather which left three attendees dead.

Comparison with other Muslim gatherings

Unlike the Hajj, the Ijtema is not one of the five pillars of Islam. However, due to its sheer size, the Ijtema has been called Bangladesh's "mini-Hajj". Other major congregations in the Muslim world include Shia pilgrimages in Karbala.