The Islamic Foundation Bangladesh on Thursday urged the BNP-led 20-party alliance to withdraw their nonstop blockade so that Muslim devotees can take part in the Bishwa Ijtema beginning from today.
Mejbaur Rahman Chowdhury, the head of Islamic Foundation Board of Governors, came up with the call at a press briefing at the Foundation’s conference room at Baitul Mukarram in the city. He said the Islamic Foundation will help its 42000 imams, alem and olema working in 64 districts across the county to attend the congregation on the Turag River bank.
Mejbaur Rahman, also Awami League Religious Affairs Adviser, said the government will take special measures to ensure the safe arrival of devotees on the Ijtema ground if they do not withdraw the blockade programme.
Urging the BNP-led alliance to lift the countrywide blockade in the interest of Ijtema devotees, he said it has created panic and feeling of insecurity among people.
Islamic Foundation director general Shamim Mohammad Afzal was also present at the press briefing.
The first phase of Bishwa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of the Muslims after Hajj, begins today at its traditional Tongi venue on the outskirts of the capital amid the countrywide nonstop blockade enforced by BNP-led 20-party alliance. The first phase of the three-day Bishwa Ijtema, being organised by Tablig Jamaat since 1946, will conclude on Sunday (Jan 11) with the Akheri Munajat (concluding prayers) while the second phase is slated for January 16-18.
