By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal: In Bhopal, the city of lakes, hills, Masjids and Mandirs, the air is thick with an aura of spiritualism which is pervading the capital of central Indian state of Madhya as the annual three-day 67th “Aalami Tablighi Ijtima” (World Preachers’ Congregation) unfolded on Saturday (December 6) soon after the Fajir Namaz (pre-dawn prayers).
The congregation is said to be the largest Islamic gathering after Hajj at Makkah in Saudi Arabia and the “Bishwa Ijtima” at Tongi in Bangladesh. The annual congregation here draws several lakh Muslims from all over the globe.
Ijtima organising committee spokesman Ateeq-ul-Islam briefing Madhya Pradesh Backward Class & Minorities Welfare Minister Antar Singh Arya about the preparations for the 67th Alami Tablighi Ijtima
It may be pointed out here that “Tablighi Jamaat” (organisation for spreading faith) is a religious movement which was founded in 1926 by Muhammad Ilyas al-Kandhlawi in India. The movement primarily aims at propagating spiritual reformation by working at the grass roots level, reaching out to Muslims across all social and economic spectra to bring them closer to Islam.
“Tablighi Jamaat’s” inception is believed to be a response to the deteriorating values and negligence of fundamental aspects of Islam, which were considered a threat to Muslims. It gradually expanded from local to national to a transnational movement and now has followers in over 150 countries. Tablighi Jamaat maintains a non-affiliating stature in matters of politics and “Fiqh” (jurisprudence).
A tent city over 185 acres of land with marquees on 35 acres has come up at the Ijtima site which is about 12 kilometres on the northern outskirts of Bhopal town at Ghasipura in Eintkhedi village. The remaining 150 acres of land is marked for parking and shopping plots meant for eateries. About 5,000 taps for Wuzu (ablution), have been made.
The venue is spotted with 275 water tanks of 5000 liter capacity. In all 24 tube-wells have been connected to ensure proper water supply. More than 2500 makeshift urinals and toilets have been put with a temporary sewage system.
According to Ateeq-ul-Islam, member and spokesman of the Ijtima Organising Committee, the committee has totally banned the use of polythene with the slogan “Green Ijtima-Clean Ijtima”. The organisers have banned the use of polythene including the sale of gutka pouches and cigarette at the Ijtima site.
Ateeq said that it’s an exercise to be conscious of our environment and lessen the carbon footprint during the event. We have requested all shops and sellers not to use polythene. Especially, the tea sellers have been asked to use paper disposables other than plastic. He said after the congregation every year we felt there was an avoidable damage to the agricultural fields. Although there is no fine for violating the order, the stall owners, hoteliers and vendors who are found violating would not be considered for allotment next year, he informed.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Backward Class and Minorities Welfare Minister Antar Singh Arya reviewed preparations for Alami Tablighi Ijtima on Wednesday and lauded the slogan “Green Ijtima-Clean Ijtima”. He expressed satisfaction over preparations. He said that Ijtima is a matter of pride not only for Bhopal, but also Madhya Pradesh. Office Superintendent of Bhopal Masajid Committee Yasir Arafat was also present on the occasion.
Many Muslims from all over the globe from India and abroad in Jamaats (Groups of devotees) have descended here much before the start of the Ijtima and were housed in various Masjids in the city. They have now started converging from the walled city to the tent city at the Ijtima site. Jama’ats from all states of over the country and countries of the world including America, Russia, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, China, Tanzania etc. are participating in the Ijtima.
Meanwhile, the highlight of the “Aalami Tablighi Ijtima” this year is that two chartered trains have been booked by the devotees for coming to attend the Ijtima. Ateeq-ul-Islam informed that over 4000 faithfuls would be reaching here on Friday late night by these trains. For these participants, who would go back on December 8, special arrangements have been made to take them back to railway station in time, considering huge turnout of people on the last day of the Ijtima when “Dua” is conducted, he added.
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 true spirit apart from the message for universal brotherhood. Prominent “Akabreens” (Tablighi elders) who will address the gatherings include: Maulana Sa’ad, Maulana Yunus, Maulana Ahmed Laat, Maulana Yousuf etc. The Ijtima shall conclude in the afternoon on December 8 with mass “Dua” (prayer).
Arif Gauhar, another member of the organising committee, said as many as 100 food zones have been set up so that there is no difficulty in getting food. He informed that various food zones have been made taking into consideration varying eating habits of people. Land and water has been provided free of cost to food vendors so that they provide food at reasonable cost. Lunch and dinner have been priced from Rs.25-35 while breakfast would cost only Rs.10. One section comprises completely of vegetarian food. Staple diet of ‘daal-chawal’ would be provided to guests from south India.
About 450 Nikaahs are expected to performed in a simple manner in the spirit of Islam by the elders of the Tablighi Jamaat on December 7, the second day of the Ijtima after Asr Namaz. The formalities for the mass Nikaahs have been completed.
A view of the main pandal
Extra security measures are being taken with nothing being left to chance. While within the Ijtima campus Tablighi 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. A Police control room has be set up at Intkheri. In a bid to boost security in and around the venue CCTVs have been 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 Tablighi Jamaat to streamline the vehicular traffic.
It may be recalled here that the Ijtima in Bhopal was first organized at Masjid Shakoor Khan in the walled city in 1948 with 150 people in attendance. Since then it is being held every year without break. After a few years as number of participants increased it was shifted to Taj-ul-Masajid, one of the biggest mosque in Asia then. Then at the beginning of the 21st century with mass participation of Muslim the Ijtima was shifted to outskirts off the city.
Meanwhile, “Tablighi Jamaat” has largely avoided electronic media and has emphasized a personal communication for proselytizing. The teachings of “Tablighi Jamaat” are mainly basic in approach and the Six Principles put forward by Muhammad Ilyas influence most of their teachings.