ZCZC
BSS-49
IJTEMA-BEGIN
First phase of Biswa Ijtema begins at Tongi tomorrow
GAZIPUR, Jan 9, 2020 (BSS) – The first phase of the 55th Biswa Ijtema, the
second largest congregation of the Muslims, will begin tomorrow morning on
the bank of Turag River at Tongi, on the outskirts of the city, amid tight
security.
The first phase of the Ijtema will begin with ‘Aam Bayan’ (general
sermons) by noted scholars after Fazr prayers that will end with Akheri
Munajat (final prayers) on January 12.
The second phase of the Ijtema will begin on January 17 at the same venue
and it is scheduled to end with Akheri Munajat on January 19.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today issued
separate messages greeting the Muslim devotees all over the world on the
occasion of the Bishwa Ijtema and wished all success of this year’s
congregation.
However, all preparations for the Ijtema, including setting up pandel,
stage, floating bridge over the Turag river and toilets have been completed.
Gas, electricity and water connections were given to the Ijtema ground.
State Minister for Religious Affairs Advocate Sheikh Md Abdullah
inaugurated a medical camp of Hamdard free of cost on the Ijtema-ground.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Jahid Ahsan Rasel, Religious
Affairs Secretary Md Nurul Islam, Gazipur City Corporation Mayor Jahangir
Alam, Deputy Commissioner SM Tariqul Islam and Tablig Jamaat’s senior leaders
were present on the occasion. They also visited the Ijtema ground to oversee
the overall situation of the Ijtema compound.
Meanwhile, thousands of devotees from home and abroad has started to throng
the Ijtema ground from today (after Johr prayers) to take part in the
religious event seeking divine blessings of the Almighty Allah.
Tablig Jamaat has been organising the Ijtema at this venue since 1967.
However, the Ijtema is held in two phases since 2011 to ease the
accommodation problem.
Besides, foolproof security measures have been taken to hold the three-day
Biswa Ijtema in a peaceful manner where 12 thousands law enforcers will
remain vigilant on its ground.
A total of 15 gates and eight control rooms of different law enforcement
agencies have been set up to monitor the overall activities of the Tongi
Ijtema.
According to the sources, 15 watch towers of police and 10 others for RAB
have also been set up to ensure over all security of the devotees.
Special measures have also been taken to ensure uninterrupted electricity
and water supply during the Ijtema time.
Around 3.54 lakh gallons of fresh water will be supplied everyday through
13 deep tube-wells and 60 trucks will be engaged round the clock in removing
garbage from the Ijtema ground.
A total of 175 gas burner stoves, six telephone sets and two hotline
numbers were set up to provide cooking facilities for foreign devotees at the
Ijtema compound and 45 healthcare centres have been set up at different parts
of the venue along with first aid and other treatment facilities to provide
healthcare services to the devotees.
Bangladesh Railways (BR) has launched three-day special train services on
several destinations for the devotees participating in the congregation.
BSS/PR/MAR/SRH/SSS/1958 hrs