M M Jasim :The first phase of the three-day long Bishwa Ijtema began on Friday on the bank of the River Turag in Gazipur district amid countrywide blockade programme enforced by the 20-party alliance. The government took all kinds of security measures in and around the Ijtema venue. Police and RAB officials said that more than 12,000 members of the two law enforcing forces had been deployed this year. Meanwhile, thousands of devotees from home and abroad reached the Ijtema ground by Thursday, embracing lots of troubles developing from blockade. The Ijtema venue on about 160 acres of land, 20-kilometres from the capital, literally turned into a human sea during the Jumma prayers.The Ijtema began with religious sermons by Md Ehasan from Pakistan after the Fajr (Dawn) prayers yesterday and is scheduled to wind up tomorrow noon with Akheri Munajat.The devotees from 32 districts are taking part this year. The second phase will begin on January 16 and will end on January 18.Around 4,982 foreigners 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 Hadith.Islamic scholars from different countries have been delivering lectures, which are interpreted instantly in Bangla, English, Arabic and some other languages.Like the previous years, a dowry free marriage ceremony will be held today. Though there is no provision for women joining the Ijtema, several hundred females have already reached near the venue. Many have rented houses adjacent to the Ijtema ground. Devotee Sumaiya said, if women can perform Hajj, then why not in the Ijtema? A five-layer security system with more than 12,000 uniformed and plainclothes policemen and members of RAB and intelligence agencies is working.The newly appointed Director General of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Benazir Ahmed on Thursday visited the Ijtema ground. He told journalists, “We have planned a five-tire security vigil during the congregation.” RAB will also provide security to Ijtema-bound passenger buses and vehicles.”The RAB chief also said their 1,000 uniform and plainclothes members would keep vigil round the clock on the Ijtema premises. If needed, they would carry out raids in hotels, rest houses and slums in the neighbourhood, he added.”RAB men will patrol the ground and the adjacent river. A special squad will also enforce a bird’s eye vigil with helicopters,” Benazir Ahmed said.”We have kept a bomb squad and striking force ready to meet emergencies. Extra security measures would be taken for special guests and foreigners,” he added.”RAB will also give transport facility free of cost to carry devotees to different nearby bus and rail stations after Akheri Munajat,” he said. Police said, a good number of closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs), control room, observation towers, a CCTV control centre and check posts have already been installed in and around the Ijtema venue.A RAB helicopter also will be kept ready for operation if needed. A physician of Gazipur Sadar Hospital said some 4,180 devotees received the medical treatment at the Ijtema ground till 2:00pm yesterday.Apart from the government medical booths, a good number of privately run free medical camps are giving 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 arranged 4,000 public toilets at the venue. Executive Engineer of DESCO Tongi (East) Monzurul Hasan said they had set up five makeshift power camps to ensure electricity supply, adding that a team of 200 personnel are working 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. Many students were selling newspapers and masks.”I have come here to sell masks to earn some money to maintain my family, said Ariful Islam,” a resident of Tongi area.
