The 66th annual Alami Tablighi Ijtema (International Islamic congregation) began this morning with the Namaz-e-fajir (Morning Prayer) at Ghasipura on the outskirts of the State capital in the presence of hundreds of Islamic scholars from India and abroad.
The first sermon of the 66th edition of the Ijtema was delivered by Maulana Ali Qadar from the State capital after the Fajir (morning) prayers. This was followed by sermon of Maulana Ahmed laat from the Delhi Markaz. The third sermon was delivered after Zohar (noon) prayers by Maulana Sirajuddin from Rajasthan.
lakhs of Muslims including Islamic scholars and intellectuals drawn from across the globe are attending the three-day congregation, considered as the third biggest gathering of Muslims after Haj and a similar congregation in Bangladesh.
Ijtema organising committee spokesman Atique-ul-Islam while talking to ‘The Pioneer’ said, “The Ijtema began with the Fajir Namaz in which participants offered special prayers in the name of Allah for the well being of the community, peace and harmony in the country and in the world.”
During the Ijtema, noted Islamic scholars including will deliver sermons on the life and practices of Prophet Mohammad, the teachings of holy Quran and on the Islamic Shariat (law).
The Ijtema that previously used to be held annually at the historic Tajul Masajid in the city since 1949 has been shifted to Ghasipura about 11 km from here for the last few years due to the increasing number of devotees and Jamaats (groups).
Islam said that huge tents were erected in the area of hundreds of acres of land at Ghasipura and about five hundred hotels were booked for the Jamaats of India and abroad.
The Indian Railways has also opened reservation counter at the Ijtema site and medical camps and fire brigade have also been established to meet any emergency.
Police have made special security arrangements for providing safety and security to the Ijtema participants and SAF, RAF and GRP and other companies of armed forces have been deployed at the Ijtema site and the route from Railway Station and bus stands.
For security purposes, several watch towers have also been erected at various locations at the venue to ensure basic facilities and amenities for the participants.