Three Die at Bishwa Ijtema in Tongi

Three worshippers passed away during the first phase of the Bishwa Ijtema in Tongi on Friday.

The deceased have been identified as Amirul Islam, 40, Abdul Kuddus Gazi, 60, and Sabed Ali, 70. Abdul Kuddus Gazi died at the Ijtema grounds, while the other two succumbed while receiving treatment at the hospital.

Beyond these fatalities, 38 worshippers have sought medical attention at Tongi Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital due to respiratory issues and other health concerns. Among them, one is a foreign national, and five are police officers.

The congregation, led by the Maulana Zubair group, officially commenced with thousands of worshippers arriving from across the country. Worshippers are accommodated in 68 designated sections of the Ijtema grounds, with an estimated 500,000 attendees, including locals from surrounding areas.

According to the Detective Branch of Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP), participants from 46 countries have joined this year’s first phase. Among them, 760 are Urdu speakers, 89 speak Arabic, and 305 communicate in English. Additionally, 426 foreign guests who were already in Bangladesh joined the gathering, bringing the total number of international attendees to 1,580. These international worshippers are staying in four designated tents.

Meanwhile, 85 foreign followers of Maulana Saad, along with 220-250 others, participated in the Jummah prayers.

Security at the Ijtema grounds has been heightened, with police and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) setting up control rooms and watchtowers for surveillance. CCTV cameras are monitoring the premises, and plainclothes law enforcement officers have been deployed across various sections.

Additionally, approximately 10,000 volunteers are assisting under the management of the Ijtema organizing committee.