Ijtema (Arabic: اجتماع) is an Islamic congregation organised by Islamic organisations in association with millions of Muslims. It is an essential part of the Tablighi Jamaat around the world as it plays a significant role on the lives of Muslims, and a huge number of people engage in Ijtema. Many countries celebrate this event in a similar way. Participation in Ijtema increases religious authority, status and empowerment, and contributes on the Muslim identity through the idea of brotherhood and ummah.

Every year the group invites Muslims to a three or four day gathering in an open field, called an Ijtima, where large tents are erected to house the congregants. Food, parking and security is also arranged for those who attend and elaborate plans are drawn up months ahead of time and executed by hundreds of people on a voluntary basis.

History of Ijtema Globally

The first ever Ijtema

1941 November 30 – The first ever Ijtema was conducted at Mewat where 25,000 attendees came. A lot of great Ulema came as well including Maulana Ahmad Madani and Mufti Kifayatullah

(Life and Mission of Maulana Ilyas, Page 62)

The first ever Ijtema in Karachi

1947 December 26 – The first ever Ijtema was held in Karachi after Pakistan’s separation from India.

(Sawanih Maulana Yusuf, Page 380)

1948 March 13 – An Ijtema was held in Pakistan which Maulana Yusuf attended for the first time after Pakistan’s separation from India. During this Ijtema, a decision was made that the Markaz of Pakistan would be Raiwind, Lahore.

(Sawanih Hadhratji Tsalits, I/106)

First Ijtema in Dhaka

1954 January 11 – The first Ijtema was held in Dhaka, East Pakistan (before the formation of Bangladesh). Maulana Yusuf and Maulana Inamul Hassan attended the Ijtema.

(Sawanih Hadrat Maulana Yusuf, Page 385)

First ever Raiwind Ijtema

1954 April 10 – The first ever Raiwind Ijtema was conducted

(Sawanih Hadrat Maulana Yusuf, Page 376)

First ever Tonggi Ijtema

1967 November – The first ever Tonggi Ijtema was conducted in East Pakistan (before the formation of Bangladesh

Sawanih Hadhratji Tsalits, II/452

Concept of having a Shura System for Tabligh

1983 November 4 – Raiwind Ijtema in Pakistan was conducted which all the senior elders attended. During that Ijtema, the concept of having a Shura System for Tabligh was first introduced by Maulana Inamul Hasan during the World Mashwara which was conducted a week after the Ijtema on November 12.

(Ahwal wa Atsar, Page 311, Page 450)

Last Ijtema attended by Maulana Inamul Hasan.

1995 June 6 – The Ijtema of Muzaffar Nagar, UP, India was the last Ijtema attended by Maulana Inamul Hasan. In his last Bayan, the first thing he said was (after praising Allah and salutations to the Prophet SAW) “Allah does not look at family and lineage at all, Allah SWT only looks at a person’s actions. If a person has good deeds, then he is close to Allah SWT. On the other hand, if a person whose deeds are bad, then indeed he is far from Allah SWT”

( Sawanih Hadhratii Tsalits, III/365)

First Ijtema conducted in two phases

2010 January – The Tongi/Bishwa Ijtema was for the first time conducted in two phases due to a large number of attendees.

(Banglapedia – Viswa Ijtema)

Ijtima hIstory of Lenasia

1974 – Jamia masjid Lenasia ext 1 Bhai Abdul Wahhab & Ml Aslam from Murtan (Pakistaan)

1975 – Mashwera intially decided (Ameer Dt Bhayat) Ijtima will be in Newcastle Standerton however it was later decided that Ijtima will be at Nurul Islam Masjid near the park (Nurul Islam Masjid was under construction that time)

Many elders such as Hazrat Jee ( Ml Ilyaas Jee) From Nizaamudeen Ml Umar Palanpuri Ml Zubair came, many jamaat from America came

Jumma was performed by Ml Zubair Sahib

Few Ijtima took place after 1975 in Lenasia.

2006 – This Ijtima was held at Lenasia Muslim School (L.M.S), all elders came, the school was used for eldrs and a house was also made.

2012 – Lenasia Teck grounds ext 6

2024 – Lenasia ext 6 Near Masjid Khalid bin Waleed