The first phase of Biswa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of Muslims after Hajj, began yesterday on the bank of the Turag river at Tongi, on the outskirts of the capital. Thousands of devotees from all over the country and abroad reached the Ijtema ground despite the countrywide hartal called by the Jamaat-e-Islami on Thursday. Like previous years, the Ijtema, also called the World Muslims’ Congregation, will be held in two phases as devotees cannot be accommodated at the venue in one phase. This year devotees from 17 districts will attend the first phase, while devotees from 15 districts will join the second phase. The first phase of the Ijtema will end with the Akheri Munajat on January 10. The second phase will be held on January…

The ruling Awami League (AL) is likely to amend its constitution before the 20th triennial central council…