Bishwa Ijtema
Thank you for publishing pictures taken from the recently concluded Bishwa Ijtema in your daily (February 3, 2009). It really helps readers to understand the magnitude of participation of Muslims in this congregation. However, I differ (though I am not a scholar in the field of Islam) from the way you described the Ijtema in the page. The Bishwa Ijtema has been referred to as 'the second largest Islamic congregation in the world'. Obviously, the reference was made in comparison with the Hajj, a compulsory congregation of 'financially and physically capable' Muslims. My view is that Hajj is a congregation where it is compulsory to participate only for a 'capable' Muslim, whereas necessity to participate in Bishwa Ijtema is voluntary ('nafal'). I think it is not proper to compare a voluntary Islamic event ('nafal') with a compulsory Islamic event like Hajj ('farz'). I would appreciate if you verify this view of mine with qualified Islamic scholars. If my view is valid, then I would recommend everyone to refer 'Bishwa Ijtema' using the phrase 'the largest voluntary Islamic congregation'.
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