The three day-long Bishwa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of Muslims after the Hajj, is set to begin on the bank of the Turag River at Tongi, Gazipur on Friday.
Thousands of Muslim devotees have already reached the venue of the Ijtema, which would end through Akheri Munajat on Sunday.
The three-day congregation includes delivering sermons, special prayer and recitation from the Quran and Hadith. The preparations for smoothly holding the Ijtema have been completed with around 5,000 volunteers working round the clock to prepare the venue.
The second largest congregation of the Muslim devotees this time is set to be held under five-tier security system including helicopter and close-circuit television, said Abdul Baten, superintendent of police (SP), Gazipur.
He said the special security measures include CCTV camera and watchtower.
He added that a temporary police camp has already been set up at the Ijtema venue. Besides, over 12,000 law enforcers would be deployed to ensure foolproof security.
Along with Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) officials, intelligence officials would be deployed in civil dress at the Ijtema venue, he added.
“Moreover, Ijtema venue will be monitored by helicopter and squad teams and mobile teams will be on standby.”
“The law enforcers have been monitoring the area since January 18 and they will continue the special security duty till February 3 for foolproof security,” he added.
Mohammad Nurul Islam, the deputy commissioner of Gazipur, told the Dhaka Tribune that 12 mobile courts had already started their duties around the Ijtema venue to ensure quality food for the devotees.
Mahbubur Rahman Chowdhury, RMO of Tongi Hospital, told the Dhaka Tribune that they had already cancelled the leaves of doctors in 17 districts under Dhaka division to provide quality treatment.
Electricity and water supply department has also taken steps to ensure smooth observance of Ijtema.
Major Mahboob, director of Fire Service and Civil Defense, said they had taken a number of steps to ensure security of the devotees.
Bangladesh Railway and Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) have arranged special train and bus services to transport the devotees.
The second phase of Ijtema will begin on January 31.
Tablighi Jamaat has been organising the Biswa Ijtema, also called the World Muslims' Congregation, every year since 1967.