Total 350 marriages were solemnised on the first day of the Ijtema at the village of Eintkhedi on the outskirts of the state capital on Friday, amid exhortations from religious scholars to simplify weddings in order to make the burden less cumbersome on the poor.
The arrival of Jamaats continued throughout Friday, leading to near-capacity attendance inside the canopy complex for the four-day event.
Expressing gratitude towards the district administration and civic authorities, Organising Committee spokesperson Omar Hafeez said that law and order personnel and civic officials were playing a crucial role in the success of the Ijtema, one of the largest religious congregations in the world.
Earlier in the day, District Collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh visited the Ijtema venue to oversee arrangements. He interacted with officials from the large police contingent, which is keeping a vigil over proceedings.The first day of the congregation started with daybreak (Fajr) sermons from Mufti Abdul Aziz of Indore.
The sermons after Friday afternoon (Juma) prayers were delivered by Maulana Abdul Azeem Balyawi.Maulana Umar Mewati shared his thoughts with the congregation at early evening (Asr) prayers, while Maulana Yusuf Kandhalvi led the community Nikah or marriage ceremony.
Post-sunset, Maulana Saad Kandhalvi delivered his annual sermons that set the tone for not just the Ijtema but also guide the Tablighi movement through the year ahead.
On Saturday, other distinguished speakers will share their thoughts on Tabligh, its work, and guide congregants to the path of righteousness and piety.
