Biswa Ijtema and its security
The overall
management of the Ijtema and the security measures taken during the holding of this big event were
satisfactory in the past few years. But this year ensuring security at Bishwa Ijtema demands more cautious attention than ever before
The proper management of Bishwa Ijtema and ensuring its full proof security are indeed two main concerns for the Ijtema authorities, government administration as well as the law enforcing agencies. As it has become, over the years, a very large gathering, the Ijema is organised in two phases for the last several years. This year, the first phase of Biswa Ijtema begins today on the bank of the river Turag at Tongi and will conclude on January 10, and the Ijtemas second phase will end on January 17, beginning on January 15.
Like previous years, millions of people will attend Biswa Ijtema making it the Muslims second largest assembly after Hajj. In fact, devotees from home and abroad are increasing every year. It has become a brand name of sorts for Bangladesh as it hosts such a big event. The main objectives of Bishwa Ijtema are to spread the message of peace and solidarity to the Muslim Ummah and strengthen the fundamental values of Islam. The mammoth congregation gives a clear message that peace lies in devotion, sacrifice and amity, and not in violence and confrontation. The message has a special relevance in the context of violence prevailing in different countries of the world today. It stands in stark contrast against extremist elements in Islam.
Attaching much importance to this great assembly, the government has taken, apparently, adequate measures for smooth holding of the congregation this year. Large contingents of security forces have been deployed at the Ijtema venue. Besides, a good number of medical teams have been kept ready. The Bangladesh Railway (BR) will run 28 special trains for the devotees willing to attend Ijtema. The BRTC will also provide at least 228 buses for carrying the devotees to the Ijtema yard from different corners of the country and back to their homes. It is expected that the government will be able to do these smoothly without any untoward incident.
The overall management of the Ijtema and the security measures taken during the holding of this big event were satisfactory in the past few years. But this year ensuring security at Bishwa Ijtema demands more cautious attention than ever before. In the backdrop of attacks carried out by militant outfits on the Ahmadia mosque in Rajshahi, Shia mosque in Bogra and in Tajia procession brought out by the Shia community in Dhaka recently, the law enforcers must take extraordinary security measures. The extremists must not be given any chance to use this soft target for their vicious gain.
