All preparations have been completed to hold the first phase of the 55th Bishwa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of Muslim community after Hajj, tomorrow (Friday) on the bank of river Turag at Tongi in Gazipur district.
Devotees from all over the country have begun to crowd at the Ijtema venue located in the north of the capital. Although the Bishwa Ijtema will begin formally on Friday, the religious sermons will be delivered from today (Thursday).
\The three-day first phase of the Bishwa Ijtema will continue from January 10 to 12. The Akheri Munajat’ (final prayers) will be held on 12 January (Sunday).
Police, RAB and other law enforcement agencies have taken up extra security measures in and around the Ijtema venue.
Extra security members have been deployed, setting up checkpoints in different areas. Police started controlling movements of people living adjacent to the Ijtema venue.
“It’s my third time. I have felt something so strongly inside my soul. I think it’s reunion of a religious people who believe Allah and his messenger Hazrat Muhammad (SM). I’m very happy as Allah gave me another chance to come here. All praises due to Allah. Alhamdulillah,” said a 50-year-old Moselm Uddin Ahmed who came to take part in the Bishwa Ijtema from Mymensingh.
Talking to reporters organisers said almost all works have been completed while the government has taken a five-tier security measures to ensure security for the Muslim devotees who will took part in the congregation from different corners of the world.
According to the sources at police administration, around 8,500 members of different law enforcement agencies will perform duties to ensure security in and around the Ijtema ground.
Like previous years, additional number of police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel and members of detective branches in plain clothes will be deployed in and around the Ijtema ground for ensuring security for pilgrims, the sources added.
The first phase of the three-day 55th Bishwa Ijtema will end on January 12 following the ‘Akheri Munajat’ (final prayers) while the second phase of the Ijtema will be held from January 17 to 19 at the same venue.
According to the Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) sources, under the GCC’s supervision, eight control rooms have been set up and 15 gates have been erected at different points of the Ijtema ground.
Besides, police have built 14 surveillance towers while RAB built 10 others to ensure the security of the Ijtema ground.
A total of 750 electricity bulbs have been installed around the Ijtema ground and measures have been taken for mosquito control.
According to the Public Health and Engineering Department officials, adequate measures have been taken to ensure water supply and sanitation on the Ijtema ground.