M M Jasim :The second phase of the three-day like the phase one the 2nd phase of Bishwa Ijtema on Friday on the bank of the River Turag in Gazipur district began amid continued blockade programme enforced by the BNP led 20-party alliance. Police and RAB officials said that more than 13,000 members from the two law enforcing forces had been deployed around Ijtema venue for security purpose.Meanwhile, a large number of devotees from home and abroad have already reached the congregation venue despite sufferings and obstacles caused by the transport blockade and hartal.The second phase of the 50th Bishwa Ijtema formally started with sermons by Maulana Ismail Hossain Godrar from Pakistan after Fazr prayers.Around five thousand foreign devotees from 20 countries, including Qatar, Australia, Denmark, India, Pakistan, Germany and Brunei have joined the Ijtema.The three-day congregation includes sermons on the fundamental issues of Islam, prayers and welfare of the Muslim Ummah and recitation from the holy Quran and the correct interpretation of Hadith. Leading Islami scholars from India, Pakistan, Turkey, Malaysia and Iran will give lectures in their representative, which will be translated into Bengali.Like the first phase, a dowry free marriage ceremony will be held today. Though there is no provision for women joining the Ijtema, several hundred female devotees have rented houses around the Ijtema ground.A five-layer security system with more than 13,000 uniformed and plainclothes policemen and members of RAB and intelligence agencies has been put into action.Police said, a good number of close circuit television cameras (CCTVs) have been installed, while control room, observatory towers, a CCTV control centre and check posts have already been erected in and around the Ijtema venue.A RAB helicopter will fly over the venue off and on, will keep eyes on the movement of the devotees and others, and will deliver service as ambulance in case of need.A physician of Gazipur Sadar Hospital said that about four thousand devotees received the medical treatment at the Ijtema ground till 2:00pm yesterday.Apart from the government medical booths, a good number of private medical camps are giving free medical services to the devotees.Anisur Rahman, Civil Surgeon of Gazipur, said that 16 doctors and 63 medical officers will be on duty for three days. “We have set up two makeshift medical camps on the west bank of the Turag. There are 12 ambulances to deal with emergency situation,” he added.Executive Engineer of Gazipur City Corporation Mujibur Rahman Kajol said they had taken different initiatives to supply pure drinking water and built 4,000 public toilets around the venue.Executive Engineer of DESCO Tongi (East) Monzurul Hasan said they had set up five makeshift power camps to ensure electricity supply with 200 personnel round the clock.Many people have opened business centres near the Ijtema.. Sales of different kinds of food items, prayer mat, cap, charging of mobile phone handsets, and water purification will give revenues to the local people. Many students were selling newspapers and masks. Meanwhile, the devotees alleged that the bus contractors took hire from them almost double.
