Ijtima' Tongi Bangladesh
the second langest congregation of the muslim after hajj
The first phase will start with religious sermons
after Maghrib prayers on January 23 and conclude with Akheri Munajat (final
prayers) on Sunday.
The preparations for smooth holding of the Ijtema have almost been completed
with around 5,000 volunteers working round the clock to prepare the venue on
160 acres of land to accommodate the devotees.
“We have already completed 90 percent work of the Ijtema, and hope to complete
the rest before the first phase starts,” said one of the organisers of Biswa
Ijtema.
He said devotees from 32 districts will take part in the first phase while
devotees from the remaining districts in the second phase.
A large number of devotees from over 130 countries including China, USA, India,
Pakistan, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Kuwait and UK are expected
to participate in the congregation, he added.
Multi-tier security measures will be taken in and around the venue to avert any
unpleasant incident.
A good number of security personnel from different agencies will be deployed to
ensure smooth holding of the Ijtema, said Ismail Hossain, officer-in-charge of
Tongi Police Station.
Nine observation towers are going to be set up at different points adjoining
the ground to watch public movement while CCTVs will be installed at all the
entrances to the venue, he said.
Besides, helicopters will hover above and pick-up vans will keep on patrolling,
Ismail added.
Fire brigade cars will be available on the venue. Medical services from Tongi
General Hospital will be provided to the devotees while many private
organisations will also set up free medical camps for them, he mentioned.
Bangladesh Railway and Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) will arrange
special train and bus services to transport the devotees to and from the
Ijtema.
Twenty special trains will make special trips on all the six days of the Ijtema
from different districts, including Sylhet, Mymensingh and Chittagong, said an
official of Bangladesh Railway.
Around 300 buses will provide road transport services to the devotees from
January 21 to February 3, said an official of BRTA. (dikutip dari The Daily Star, 27/01/2014 dengan editing)