DHAKA, Jan 26: A three-day religious congregation that attracts the faithful from across the world begins near Dhaka on Friday. Organised by the World Tablighi Jamaat, the congregation, known as Bishaw Ijtema, is held every year at Tongi, a small town near the Bangladesh capital.

The government has deployed nearly 25,000 uniformed and undercover security personnel drawn from the army, police and paramilitary units to keep a round-the-clock watch on the venue and its vicinity.

In separate messages, President Iajuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina welcomed the participants and wished peace and prosperity of the Ummah as well as people all over the world.

The Ijtema ground has been divided into 24 blocks and a map of the venue has been displayed at every checkpoint.