DHAKA, Jan. 9  (Xinhua) — Amid a non-stop countrywide blockade, the first phase of the second largest annual Muslim congregation after holy Hajj begins Friday morning in Tongi on the outskirts of Bangladesh capital Dhaka with religious sermons for millions of devotees from home and abroad.

The grand prayer at the congregation called Biswa Ijtema on the bank of the Turag River at Tongi, some 25 km north of capital Dhaka, will be held on Sunday, seeking divine blessings and welfare for all mankind, reports Xinhua.

The second phase of the Bishwa Ijtema, which is being held in two phases since 2011 to avoid mad rush of pilgrims, will begin at the same venue on Jan. 16 and it will conclude with the offering of Akheri Munajat (concluding prayer) on Jan. 18.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ruling Bangladesh Awami League urges Khaleda’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to stop its ongoing nonstop countrywide blockade and show respect to people’s religious sentiment.

Ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who remained cordoned off inside her office since Saturday night, on Monday announced the indefinite blockade across the country from Tuesday.