Bishwa Ijtema

Worldwide Muslim gathering in Bangladesh

The Bishwa Ijtema (Bengali: বিশ্ব ইজতেমা, lit. 'Global congregation') is an annual gathering of Muslims in Tongi, by the banks of the River Turag, in the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Ijtema, organized by the Bangladeshi branch of the Tablighi Jamaat, is considered a demonstration of Muslim unity, solidarity, and mutual love and respect and an opportunity to reiterate their commitment to Islamic values. It is the biggest festival by population in Bengali culture, one of the largest peaceful gatherings in the world, and the second-largest Muslim gathering, with 5 million adherents, after the Arba'in pilgrimage's 15–20 million attendees in Iraq, both surpassing the 2–3 million worshipers who participate in the Hajj, considered to be one of the five pillars of Islam, in Saudi Arabia.

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