1st phase of Bishwa Ijtema begins tomorrow

The first phase of the 58th Bishwa Ijtema, a large congregation of the Muslims, will begin on the bank of the Turag River at Tongi, on the outskirts of the city, tomorrow.

This year, the Ijtema, the congregation of Tablig Jamaat, will be held in three phases. Starting from tomorrow, the first phase will continue till February 2 while the second phase will be held from February 3 to 5 and the third phase from February 14 to 16. 

The Ijtema will begin with 'Aam Bayan' (general sermons) by noted scholars after Fazr prayers on the first day and will end with Akheri Munajat (final prayers) on the concluding day.

Supporters of Maulana Zubair Ahmed will attend the Ijtema from January 31 to February 5 in first and second phases while followers of Maulana Saad Kandhalvi will take part in the Ijtema from February 14 to 16 in the third phase.

A large number of devout Muslims from all over the country have gathered on the Biswa Ijtema venue on the banks of the Turag River.

Every year, along with domestic devotees, many foreign devotees arrive from different countries of the world on the occasion of the Ijtema.

The government has taken adequate security measures ahead of the first phase of the Biswa Ijtema.

Stringent security measures have been taken in and around the Biswa Ijtema ground spanning 160 acres of land.

"The security arrangements at the Ijtema Maidan and its surrounding areas have been strengthened much more than before," said Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam after inspecting the security arrangements at the Ijtema ground at Tongi on Wednesday.

As part of the measures to make the security foolproof, members of police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and other law enforcement and intelligence agencies in uniform and plainclothes have been deployed in large numbers.

The entire Ijtema ground and its surrounding areas have been brought under CCTV coverage alongside installing control rooms and archways in every entry points to make the security foolproof. 

A control room has been set up to monitor the overall security system in the Ijtema area around the clock. In addition, the overall situation will be monitored from the RAB headquarters. 

Regular check posts are being set up at Cheragali Bus Stand, Tongi Kaliganj Road, in front of Uttara North Tower and in Ashulia Kamarpara area to search vehicles and passengers going to the Ijtema. 

RAB's medical center in the Ijtema area remains open to everyone. 

A sufficient number of RAB medical teams and ambulances are engaged in providing medical services to the arriving Muslims round-the-clock.