The government has taken all-out security measures for devotees including foreigners arriving at the Bishwa Ijtema ground, as the first phase of Bishwa Ijtema will begin on January 13, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said.
The first phase of the Ijtema, billed as the second largest congregation of Muslims after Hajj, will be held from January 13 and the second phase from January 20, he said at the follow-up meeting regarding the review of Ijtema preparation at Tongi Ijtema ground in Gazipur on Friday evening as the chief guest.
Foreign guests will get more facilities compared to previous years, he said, adding that law enforcement agencies including police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and army will be deployed at the Ijtema ground to ensure a peaceful and congenial atmosphere.
Besides, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members will be kept ready if necessary, he said.
"As the existing two groups are doing Ijtema separately, I hope there will be no problem," the minister added.
Maulana Zubair Hassan group's Ijtema will be held in the first phase and Maulana Wasekh group's in the second phase, he added.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq, State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Zahid Ahsan Russel, State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan, Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Molla Nazrul Islam, and the organisers of the Ijtema were present at the meeting.
