Bhopal hosting 63rd Aalmi Tablighi Ijtema from Dec 25

23 December, 2010

The global congregation by Tablighi Jamaat is to be held from December 25th to 27th, 2010 at Itkhori in Islam Nagar, around 12 km from Bhopal. Around 1 million Muslims are expected to attend the event from across the world.

BHOPAL IS all set to host world's largest Muslim gathering after Haj and the Ijtema in Bangladesh. The 63rd Aalmi Tablighi Ijtema, the global congregation by Tablighi Jamaat is to be held from December from 25th to 27th, 2010 at Itkhori in Islam Nagar, around 12 km from Bhopal.

Around 1 million muslims are expected to attend the event from across the world and mostly from Muslim countries. Special arrangements have been made for the stay of an estimated 500 physically challenged people.

“Every year we hold the ijtema to spread the message of Islam, do good deeds and stop people from doing wrong, know Allah and follow the path of Prophet Mohammed,” Ijtema spokesperson Atique-ul-Islam said.

“The jamaats (groups) of Russia, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Sri Lanka have already arrived, and Muslims from at least 30 countries, including Australia, England and South Africa, will take part in it," he added.

This time the best feature of the conference is that physically-challenged people are invited who usually keep away from huge gatherings and they will be given extra attention.

The Aalmi Ijtema had begun with India's independence in 1947 and continues non-stop since then. From 1947 to 2001, the Ijtema took place at Taj-ul-Masjid one of the largest mosques in Asia and thereafter it has been taking place at the Itkhori grounds.

The entire Ijtema will take place on 145 acres of land, which includes 36 acres for marquees, 60 acres of parking space and 10 acres for tubewells to fulfill the water needs of the huge gathering, apart from the space for the accommodation of the disabled. The management has made it a point to ensure that it does not become a fair and does not allow people to make a noise. There are guidelines for shopkeepers to sell their items, special meals, at a cost strictly prescribed by the management. The state as well as central government is extending support to the gathering but security is still a major concern.

Right from Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to Superintendent of Police Abhay Singh, everyone has assured that the programme will not be affected and will function as it has been for more than half a century. At least 1500 police officers will be deployed around the venue to ensure security. At 140 million, India has the third largest Muslim populations in the world after Indonesia and Pakistan.