With its presence in Europe, Africa, USA, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Kyrgyzstan, the Tabligh Jamaat is known for its indulgence in Dawah Chilla (religious education amongst non-believers with an intent to convert them to Islam) activities across the country throughout the year.

The outfit has workers, both foreigners as well Indians, and is backed by radical outfits like Jamat-e-Islami (India) and Jamat-e-Islami (Pakistan), Intelligence sources said. They congregate at the Tabligh Markaz (headquarters) at Banglewali Mosque in Hazrat Nizamuddin in New Delhi and are detailed for Chilla activities to different parts of the country, the sources added.

This apart, the Tabligh also organises an ijtema (Islamic congregation) in Bhopal and Dhaka every year. The last ijtema was held in Bhopal on November 23 last year and the next one will be held in Dhaka, the dates for which are yet to be decided. The iztema attracts 20-25 lakh people, including foreigners, and is a major source of fund collection. Funds are also collected by Tabligh volunteers who seek alms from Sheikhs in Mecca and Medina during the Haj besides aid from Governments across the world for running madrassas and a major portion of which is used for Tabligh activities.     

While the Dawah activities seek to promote Sunni form of Islam, they conceal their identity with the Sufi form of Islam to evade scrutiny of the security agencies and gain wider acceptance in the society, Intelligence sources said.

Chilla activities in all States are coordinated by District Coordinators in different Districts, who, in turn, in some States are supervised by State Amirs and their focus of Islamic education in areas where non-Muslims are in majority.

The outcomes of the Bhopal iztema would be further fine-tuned at the Dhaka congregation and the conclusions would be implemented in various countries through Dawah to increase the followers’ base.