The authority concerned has completed almost 72 percent work of the 55th Bishwa Ijtema, a three-day religious gathering, on the bank of River Turag at Tongi in Gazipur district scheduled to start from January 10. To ensure safe movement of the Muslim devotees, the Ijtema organizing committee has expanded the field perimeter. This is the first time the perimeter of Ijtema Maidan has been increased, by adding 14 new khatas to the east and the west side of the field.
Now the concerned authority is setting up sound system, installing lights and others. In the meantime, with the help of the Bangladesh Army, six floating bridges on the Turag River have already been established. . According to the schedule, the first phase of the 55th Biswa Ijtema will be held for three days from January 10, while its second phase will begin from January 17.
The Akheri Munajat seeking peace, prosperity, brotherhood, and welfare of the Muslim Ummah would take place after the end of the two phases of the Ijtema, said a source close to the Ijtema organizing committee. Voluntary works are being conducted in full swing on the 160 acres of land beside the Turag River. People came from different parts of the country to become volunteers at the Ijtema.
To safeguard the Muslim devotees, strict security measures have been taken and sufficient CCTV cameras have also been installed throughout the Ijtema field. Earlier, the preparations of Ijtema Maidan formally began on November 4 with State Minister for Youth and Sports M Zahid Ahsan Russel inaugurating. The government has already extended all cooperation for holding the religious event peacefully, the state minister, said adding that the Awami League government has set up a total of 13 deep tube wells in the surroundings of the Ijtema ground.
Noted Indian Islamic scholar Mawlana Illyus Akhter Kandhalovi introduced the Ijtema in 1920. The Bishwa Ijtema has been taking place on the bank of River Turag in Tongi since 1967.
