The 71st Aalami Tableeghi Ijtima (Annual Global Muslim congregation) begun on Friday. Thousands of devotees reached the venue Eitkhedi on Berasia road early morning. Many had reached the venue Thursday night. More than a dozen delegations from abroad have reached Bhopal to participate in the three-day congregation. Some more are expected by Saturday, said spokesperson of Ijtima committee, Ateeq-ul-Islam.
In reply to question on assembly elections, the spokesperson said that this is a pure religious congregation and politics is strictly prohibited here. Groups from Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, USA, and UK have arrived.
More than 400 mass marriages were held on the first day with a message of organizing marriages in simple and prudent manner. The event is being organized in more than 72 acres of land at Berasia road. “Many people owning the land in this area have given us the land without asking any return. We are getting cooperation from all government departments and are very thankful to them,” said Ateeq.
Food zone has been made in a separate section and foods from all states are available here considering the fact the people from all over the country come here. The rates of food have been kept quite low and most of the caterers are working on no loss no profit basis or working on a very low margin. Entire Ijtima area has been declared as polythene and tobacco free zone, said the spokesperson. The three-day Ijtima would conclude on November 25 after the evening prayers. More than 10 lakh are expected to remain present in the last day dua.
Congregation cut down by one day
The three day Ijtima was extended to four day gathering this year for the first time in 71 years. However, ensuing assembly elections made the organizers to withdraw their decision. Moreover, the tradition of Dua that is held on the last day after the morning prayers too has been changed. This year dua would be held after evening prayers for the first time since Ijtima is organized.