Saturday December 10, 2011 12:12:08 PM, Pervez Bari, ummid.com
Bhopal: An aura of spirituality is pervading through the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal, the city of lakes, hills, Masjids and now Mandirs too, wherein the stage is all set for the 64th edition of “Aalami Tableeghi Ijtima” (World Preachers’ Congregation) which begins on Saturday soon after the Fajir Namaz (pre-dawn prayers).
Muslims from all over the globe from India and abroad in Jamaats (Groups of devotees) have descended here. Soon after the Friday prayers they have started converging from the walled city to the tent city at the Ijtima site which is about 15 kms on the northern outskirts of the town at Ghasipura in Eintkhedi village. The three-day Ijtima will be held here from December 10 and shall conclude on December 12 with mass “Dua” (prayer).
Over 300 Jamaatis from Russia, Kazakhstan, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, Zambia, South Africa, Kenya, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Ethiopia, Somalia, Turkey, Thailand and Sri Lanka have already arrived in the city and from many more other countries are expected to reach the Ijtima venue soon.
The huge main “pandal” has come up on about 20 acres of land to accommodate the Jamaats from all over India. In the main “pandal” tens of thousands of people will camp for three days listening to the holy sermons of Islamic scholars as how to inculcate the good values in life following the Islamic tenets in order to lead an upright life in this world and thereby be rewarded with Jannat-ul-Firdaus Hereafter.
According to Ateeq-ul-Islam, the spokesman of the Ijtima Organising Committee, the Ijtima is being organised on more than 170 acres of land. Out of this 70 acres are reserved for parking while 25 acre is covered by tents. Small shopping plots meant for eateries spread around the venue cover 35 acres of land. About 5,000 ablutions points for Wuzu, have been made. Venue is spotted with 170 water tanks of 5000 litre capacity. In all 21 tube-wells have been connected to ensure proper water supply. More than 600 makeshift urinals and 900 toilets have been put with a temporary sewage system. A separate closed tent is built for foreign Jamaats wherein separate toilets and washroom facilities have been provided for them.
The organising committee has also announced the Namaz timings at the Ijtima venue. As per the schedule announced the Fajr Namaz would be held at 6.30 am, Zohar Namaz at 2 pm, Asr Namaz at 4.30 pm, Maghrib Namaz at 5.39 pm while the Isha Namaz would held after the sermons are over.
On the second day separate special religious discourses will be held during the conclave for intellectuals, traders, farmers, students etc. and the participants would be asked to follow the Islamic religious tenets in their spirit apart from the message for universal brotherhood. Prominent “Akabireen” (Tableeghi elders) who will address the gatherings include: Maulana Zubair, Maulana Sa’ad, Maulana Yunus, Maulana Ahmed Laat, Maulana Yousuf, Prof. Nadir Ali etc.
Meanwhile, a special feature of the Ijtima is special arrangements for deaf and dumb people who come in Jamaats from all over the country and are housed separately. The sermons from the main “pandal” are translated to them in sign language. Their disability does not come in their way to leave their home and hearth to learn and inculcate the basic teachings of Islam to become righteous Muslims.
Over 400 Nikaahs is expected to performed in a simple manner in the spirit of Islam by the elders of the Tableeghi Jamaat on the first two days of the Ijtima after Asr Namaz. The formalities for the mass Nikaahs have been completed.
Extra security measures are being taken with nothing being left to chance. While within the Ijtima campus Tableeghi Jamaat volunteers will keep a tight vigil on security outside and around the Ijtima venue the cadres of Madhya Pradesh Police will do their job of maintaining law and order. In a bid to boost security in and around the venue CCTVs are being installed at strategic points. Police have set up watchtowers and hundreds of policemen will be present on the spot. Apart from police, the personnel of Rapid Action Force, (RAF), the Traffic police will be in attendance along with hundreds of volunteers of Tableeghi Jamaat to streamline the vehicular traffic. (pervezbari@eth.net)
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