From a highway in Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka in Bangladesh, Azim Khan Ronnie surveyed his fellow worshippers.
Ronnie, a Bangladeshi who now lives in France, had travelled back tohishome country toattend Bishwa Ijtema.
The annual meeting of millions of Muslims from around the world isthe second largest Islamic congregationafter the hajj, in Mecca.Every inch of tarmac and pavement was filledwith worshippers, Ronnie recalls.
Thousands of Muslims gathered to pray, bringing buses andlorries to a grinding halt.
Many passengers were praying; the drivers were, too.
In thebackground we could see the colourful tents where the pilgrims sleep.
Some of the buildings also act asshelters.A peaceful, reflective event, Bishwa Ijtema sees scholars reciting verses from the Quran and regular prayers.
Thephotographer tookthis shot in 2020, during jummah, Friday prayers, on his Huawei P30 Pro, applying minimal edits.
In 2024, the gathering takes place this month.I hope this image surprises people, Ronnie says.
Its avery rare scenario.
Thevehicles engines were turned off; there were no horns or intrusions.
This photograph makes me feel a great sense ofpeace..
This article first appeared/also appeared in theguardian.com