Islamic Foundation urges BNP to lift blockade for Ijtema

The Islamic Foundation Bangladesh urged on Thursday the BNP-led 20-party alliance to withdraw their nonstop blockade so that Muslim devotees can take part in the Biswa Ijtema beginning today( Friday), reports UNB.

Mejbaur Rahman Chowdhury, the head of Islamic Foundation Board of Governors, came up with the call at a press briefing at the Foundation's conference room at Baitul Mukarram in the city.  He said the Islamic Foundation will help its 42000 Imams, Alem and Ulema working in 64 districts across the county to attend the congregation on the Turag River bank.

Mejbaur Rahman, also Awami League Religious Affairs Adviser, said the government will take special measures to ensure the safe arrival of devotees on the Ijtema ground if they do not withdraw the blockade programme.

Urging the BNP-led alliance to lift the countrywide blockade in the interest of Ijtema devotees, he said it has created panic and feeling of insecurity among people.

Islamic Foundation director general Shamim Mohammad Afzal was also present at the press briefing.

The first phase of Biswa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of the Muslims after Hajj, begins today( Friday) at its traditional Tongi venue on the outskirts of the capital amid the countrywide nonstop blockade enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.