Bishwa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of Muslims, is going to start Phase-1 from 23rd January and will end on 26th January 2014 at Tongi, Bangladesh by the river Turag. Pilgrims from 32 districts of the country as well as from different parts of the world has already gathered.
The first phase of Ijtema is ready to start, as those who come to Bangladesh for Ijtema, the second largest Muslim congregation after the Hajj, are greeted with ready facilities for their pilgrimage to the Turag river bank.
The first phase of Ijtema will begin on Jan 24 and end with ‘Akheri Monajat’ on Jan 26. The second phase will start off on Jan 31 after a brake of four days.
The second phase will continue until Feb 2 when another Akheri Monajat, ending this year’s Biswa Ijtema.
The ground is almost ready, said authorities, with just a few last-minute preparations underway.
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Devotees from the far and wide of Bangladesh and the rest of the world have come to take part in the Biswa Ijtema — the world congregation of Muslims — billed as the second largest annual gathering of Muslims after the Hajj.
Ijtema sermons began from Thursday.
Starting on Friday, the first phase of Ijtema will end with ‘Akheri Monajat’ (final prayers) on Jan 26.
The second phase will start off on Jan 31 after a four-day break. It will continue until Feb 2 when another Akheri Monajat will be held, ending this year’s Biswa Ijtema.
Like previous years, people from all walks of life are working as volunteers.
The ground has been marked with lines so that people offering prayers can arrange themselves between the marks conveniently.
The ground for Ijtema’s first phase is divided into 40 sections (Khitta) where participants from 32 districts will settle.
Devotees locate themselves through numbers on Khitta and poles.
Foreigners attending the Ijtema are settled at the north-west part of the field.
Eight floating bridges have been placed by the army engineers so that devotees can cross the Turag with ease.
Five-layered security
Gazipur Superintendent of Police, Abdul Baten, had said at least 10,000 members of RAB and police would work to ensure security.
Law enforcers have been present from Jan 18 and will remain on duty until Feb 3.
The entire premise — from Tongi Bridge to Joydebpur Intersection, Monnogate to Kamarparha, the Turag River — has been divided into five sectors.
Check posts and watch towers have been set up. Closed-circuit cameras are being used to monitor every entry to the ground. Metal detectors and control rooms have also been placed.
Every ‘Khitta’ will have policemen in uniform and plainclothes, said SP Baten.
The sermon stage has been placed beside the space allotted to foreign devotees. Special train services and 300 buses will carry the influx of passengers.
Control rooms by Gazipur City Corporation and the district administration have also been set up.
Modern facilities for foreign guests
The tin-roofed quarters for foreigners on the north-east of the Ijtema ground are equipped with all possible facilities, including gas, power and telephone connections, said organising committee member Gias Uddin.
There is a medical camp which will provide free treatment. Ambulances will be on standby.
The sermon stage is at its east. More than 500 clerics from various countries will speak from there. The main sermons are given in Urdu but later explained in other languages.
More than 30,000 foreign devotees from 130 countries are expected to arrive for Ijtema this year.
Gias Uddin said there were facilities to prepare food for foreign guests according to their needs.
Doctors’ leave cancelled
Both public and private sectors have taken initiatives to accommodate Ijtema participants.
More than 50 free medical camps will be setup in the area surrounding the ground.
Gazipur Civil Surgeon Md Shah Alam Sharif said leaves had been cancelled for all doctors, officials and staff of the district’s Health Division from Jan 22 to February.
A total of 50 beds were added to Tongi Hospital which will provide full range of services to the participants.
All-round power supply
DESCO’s Chief Engineer Noor Mohmmad said all preparations to provide round-the-clock power supply to the Ijtema ground has been initiated.
Electricity will be supplied there through five 11KV feeders from Uttara, Tongi Super Grid and Tongi New Grid.
Besides that, there will be four standby generators and five trolley-mounted transformers.
Five makeshift power camps have been installed at the Ijtema ground. Line crew team will be resent with necessary tools at eight points.
At least 200 officials and staff will be on duty 24/7 there.
30 million litres of ‘pure water’ per day
Tongi Town Water Project Director Md Mpniruzzaman said the ground will be supplied with 30 million litres of safe drinking water through 11 deep bore-wells.
Water necessary for ablution, showers and toilets will also be supplied.
There are almost 4,000 toilets in the five buildings there.
