Hundreds of thousands of devotees from home and abroad are expected to join the congregation.

Nearly 7,500 law enforcers, including police, Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and BDR personnel, have been deployed to ensure security at the Ijtema venue.

CCTV camera has been installed at each entry point while Rab has set up five observation towers at important places.

Devotees will be allowed to enter the Ijtema venue after checking by metal detector.

A total of 24 mobile courts have already started operation to oversee various matters, including the standard of food for the devotees.

Tablig Jamaat Bangladesh arranged the Ijtema, which is being held every year since 1964.

Ahead of the Ijtema, the law enforcers arrested 90 pickpockets yesterday and the day before.

A devotee named Advocate Abdur Rahim died of cardiac arrest early yesterday. Eight devotees, who fell sick, were admitted to Tongi Hospital.

Meanwhile, President Iajuddin Ahmed, Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina in separate messages have greeted the devotees.

They hoped that the Ijtema would help strengthen the unity of the Muslim Ummah and contribute to the world peace and stability.