United News of Bangladesh

The Fire Service and Civil Defence have taken extensive preparations to ensure fire safety and provide first aid services at the Biswa Ijtema ground. A temporary control room has been set up, along with mobile numbers for 24-hour service, said Talha Bin Zasim, station officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters media cell. A total of 374 personnel will be on standby to provide fire safety across the Ijtema ground, he added. He said that each area will have two firefighters on duty with fire extinguishers, fire hooks, and fire beaters to handle any immediate fire-related incidents. Two fire control rooms have been set up for monitoring fire safety throughout the ground. A drone unit has also been deployed for continuous surveillance, Talha said. Bangladesh Railway to run special trains for Ijtema attendees Two mobile numbers—01901020865 and 02224410082—will be available 24/7 for fire service assistance at the Ijtema ground, he added. In addition, four water tankers, three ambulances, 14 pumps, 220 fire extinguishers, 13 generators, 128 walkie-talkies, 150 delivery hoses, and 14 branch pipes have been stationed at various locations across the grounds. Besides, a rescue speedboat and a four-person diving team have been kept ready at the Turag River (under Kamarpara Bridge) to prevent water-related accidents. Shab-e-Barat to be observed Feb 14 Six pumps have been placed along the banks of the Turag River, and five more are stationed at different reservoirs to provide water for quick fire suppression. In addition, the Tongi, Uttara, and Joydebpur fire stations will remain on standby during the event.

Mufti Amanul Haq, a spokesperson of Tabligh Jamaat (Zubair faction), has threatened to start a long march to seize control of the Ijtema ground in Tongi if supporters of Muhammad Saad Kandhalvi do not vacate the site by tonight. At a press conference at Kakrail Mosque on Wednesday he also announced plans to take legal action over the latest killings. Mufti Amanul Haq said, "We will demand the highest level of justice from the government. The Saad faction is conspiring with the interim government. No Saad followers will be allowed to enter Kakrail Mosque until the Day of Final Judgment. From now on, there will only be one Ijtema in Bangladesh." Home Adviser warns of strict action over Biswa Ijtema killings "To avoid a direct confrontation between the two factions, we have decided to vacate the ground to respect the government's request to maintain peace and avoid clashes." Meanwhile, Abul Kalam Azad, another Zubair follower who was injured in the attack, said, "While we were asleep, Saad supporters attacked us. We had been working on Ijtema preparations, and most of our companions were resting after cleaning. “ Another injured victim, Mohammad Nazrul Islam said around 50-60 of them were on guard when the Saad followers attacked them. “I was injured on my cheek, and they beat on my arms and legs, causing swelling. I managed to escape through another gate." Nur Alam, another victim, said, "I have never endured such brutality. They struck me on the head, and I am still bleeding. We demand justice from the government and the punishment of the attackers." Violent clashes between the two groups that left two people dead and many injured on Wednesday. Authorities have tightened security in and around the Biswa Ijtema ground in Tongi to prevent any untoward incidents following the clashes. A large contingent of the Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and other forces, along with regular police, have been patrolling the area, reports UNB’s district correspondent from the scene. According to a statement from the BGB headquarters, four platoons have been deployed in the area. Despite the heavy security, a tense atmosphere persists there. Meanwhile, a meeting between the two groups was held at the Ministry of Home Affairs later today (Wednesday).

The first phase of Bishwa Ijtema, one of the biggest congregations of Muslims in the world, in Tongi is continuing for the second day today (January 14, 2023) — drawing devotees in the lakhs. The three-day congregation began on the bank of the Turag river after Fajr prayers on Friday with sermons delivered by noted Islamic scholar Maulana Ziaul Haque of Pakistan. Several lakhs of Muslim devotees, both from home and abroad, are converging at the venue and attending the prayers — reciting the names of Allah and hearing the sermons. Also read: Biswa Ijtema: World's second-largest Muslim gathering begins Maulana Khurshidul Haque of Pakistan delivered sermons after Fajr prayers and Maulana Ibrahim Deula of India also delivered sermons in the morning. Maulana Iftar Zaman will deliver sermons in English. Devotees from different parts of the country are still coming to the Ijtema venue by buses, trucks, boats and on foot. Read More: Nagad sets up booth at Bishwa Ijtema The first phase of Ijtema will end tomorrow (Sunday, January 15, 2023) with Akheri Munajat (final prayers). Ijtema is being held in two phases from 2012 to ease accommodation issues. The second phase of Ijtema is scheduled to be held on January 20-22 at the same place. Meanwhile, six devotees died in separate incidents at the Ijtema venue on Thursday, Friday and today. Read More: 1st phase of Biswa Ijtema begins Friday A mass wedding ceremony will be held today at the ground after Asr prayers. Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mollah Nazrul Islam said additional police personnel have been deployed in and around the Ijtema venue to ensure the security of the devotees. The venue has been brought under closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera surveillance. Besides, thousands of volunteers are working round the clock to make sure the event runs smoothly. Read More: Foolproof security measures taken ahead of Ijtema: IGP Several health centres have been set up at different parts of the venue along with beds and almost all first aid and other treatment facilities with doctors doing round-the-clock duties at each centre. Special measures have also been taken to ensure uninterrupted electricity during the three-day Ijtema. Tabligh Jamaat has been organising the congregation at the Tongi venue since 1967. In 2011, it divided Ijtema into two phases to accommodate a large number of attendees. Read More: Sylhet police asks Anjumane Hefazat-e-Islam to postpone their ijtema till after BNP’s rally

The first phase of the three-day Biswa Ijtema, billed as the second largest congregation of Muslims after Hajj, began Friday morning after two years of Covid hiatus on the bank of the River Turag river in Tongi. The 56th edition of the annual Biswa Ijtema (World Congregation) began with the a'mbayan (general sermons) of Pakistani Islamic scholar Maulana Ziaul Haque after Fajr prayers. Read more: Foolproof security measures taken ahead of Ijtema: IGP Thousands of devotees from home and abroad – including India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Syria, Chad, Tajikistan Turkey, Afghanistan, Palestine, the UK, and the US – thronged the bank of Turag to listen to scholars reciting and explaining verses from the Quran and to renew their commitment to Islamic values.