The first phase of the 55th Bishwa Ijtema, literally began on Thursday after the Asar prayer even it was scheduled to start from today (Friday). This happened under pressure of heavy presence of Muslim devotees at Tongi despite a mild cold wave prevailing over the city.
Tablig Murabbi of Kakrail Mosjid Maulana Shahriar Alam have confirmed this to media.
He said, “As we have witnessed huge presence of Muslim devotees, after Asar prayer, the 55th Ijtema began with 'Aam Bayan' (general sermons) by Pakistani Islamic scholar Maulana Fahim Khan. Alami Shura Member, Maulana Ibrahim Deola of India delivered speech after Maghrib prayers”.
It is the second largest congregation of Muslim community after the Hajj in Mecca in Saudi Arab, held on the bank of river Turag at Tongi in Gazipur district. Devotees defying cold temperatures, from all over the country have begun to crowd at the Ijtema venue located in the north of the capital from Tuesday. The Akheri Munajat’ (final prayers) will be held on 12 January (Sunday).
Police, Rapid Action Battalion, Rab and other law enforcement agencies have taken up extra security measures in and around the Ijtema venue. The Ijtema field is divided into 92 khittas. Muslims from the entire 64 districts are pouring in at the ijtema ground. On the other hand, Tablig Jammat from 35 countries have also joined at the Ijtema till Thursday evening. Organizers hoped, more foreign devotees will join at the Ijtema by Friday.
Extra security members have been deployed, setting up checkpoints in different areas. Police started controlling movements of people living adjacent to the Ijtema venue. 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 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 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.
