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3 million Muslims gather in Bangladesh for Bishwa ljtema
Bishwa ljtema in Tongi, Bangladesh
The Bishwa ljtema has been organized by the Tablighi Jamaat since 1946.
World Bulletin / News Desk
An approximately 3 million Muslims are gathering in Bangladesh for the Bishwa ljtema, otherwise known as the Global Congregation or Meeting, in what is the second biggest gathering of Muslims after the Hajj pilgrimage.
Every year since 1946, millions of Muslims from over 150 difference countries have been attending the congregation in the city of Tongi, just north of the capital Dhaka, for the three day event.
The gathering is organized by the Tablighi Jamaat, one of the most widespread congregational groups of Muslims around the world, with most of its followers coming from the Indian subcontinent.
As usual, it is expected to bring big business to the city of Tongi, where merchants also gather to sell their goods to visitors and reach out to new markets.
1. The media says it is 3 million. In Bangladesh itself people often say it's 5-6 million, which is the number I personally heard when I went there.
If that is the case it is the biggest Islamic gathering in the world even bigger than the Hajj, but the foreign media however do not seem to want to admit that.
2. Though there are foreigners, the vast majority are Bangladeshis.
3. It is easier for Tableeghis to gain visas for Bangladesh, than it is for them to gain visas for either India or Pakistan.
Despite the Pakistani-backed "Islamist" media campaign seeking to vilify Bangladesh and Bangladeshi Muslims the country is far more religious than most other "Muslim" countries.
Bishwa ljtema in Tongi, Bangladesh
The Bishwa ljtema has been organized by the Tablighi Jamaat since 1946.
World Bulletin / News Desk
An approximately 3 million Muslims are gathering in Bangladesh for the Bishwa ljtema, otherwise known as the Global Congregation or Meeting, in what is the second biggest gathering of Muslims after the Hajj pilgrimage.
Every year since 1946, millions of Muslims from over 150 difference countries have been attending the congregation in the city of Tongi, just north of the capital Dhaka, for the three day event.
The gathering is organized by the Tablighi Jamaat, one of the most widespread congregational groups of Muslims around the world, with most of its followers coming from the Indian subcontinent.
As usual, it is expected to bring big business to the city of Tongi, where merchants also gather to sell their goods to visitors and reach out to new markets.
1. The media says it is 3 million. In Bangladesh itself people often say it's 5-6 million, which is the number I personally heard when I went there.
If that is the case it is the biggest Islamic gathering in the world even bigger than the Hajj, but the foreign media however do not seem to want to admit that.
2. Though there are foreigners, the vast majority are Bangladeshis.
3. It is easier for Tableeghis to gain visas for Bangladesh, than it is for them to gain visas for either India or Pakistan.
Despite the Pakistani-backed "Islamist" media campaign seeking to vilify Bangladesh and Bangladeshi Muslims the country is far more religious than most other "Muslim" countries.
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