Not to forget who we are
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Sayed Javed Ahmad
BISHWA Ijtema (world congregation or global congregation or meeting) ended last month. It is said that approximately 2.5 million (25 lakh) people attended the programme, which basically is an annual Tablighi jamaat (conveying group), an Islamic movement congregation. Unofficially, it is called a "local Hajj" by the followers and the non-religious folks call it a "picnic of the maulanas (religious leaders)".
No matter what it is called, this non-political congregation began sometimes around 1946 and continues to draw people from all persuasion. Prayers are held for the spiritual adulation, exaltation and welfare of the Muslim community. This programme gives the people of Bangladesh an opportunity to interact with Muslims from other countries.
According to Wikipedia, Muhammad Ilyas founded the Tabligh movement in 1926 at Saharanpur of Uttar Pradesh, India and at the same time organised regional congregation or Ijtema. In course of time, Ijtema movement spread throughout the subcontinent and also influenced other regions. After 1947, three Ijtema centres developed in three parts of the subcontinent -- India, West Pakistan and the then East Pakistan. Biswa Ijtema at Tongi is the annual Tabligh congregation of Bangladesh which was East Pakistan before 1971. In addition to Tongi, Ijtemas are now held in Raiwind, Pakistan and Bhopal, India. However, in terms of popular attendance, the Tongi Ijtema is the largest of all these congregations.
The whole idea of this revival movement is based on the Qur'anic verse that says, "Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance." (16:125).
Tablighi jamaat is known for its peaceful strategies in guiding people to Islam. Their non-political stand attracts people from all walks of life. As a result, we see the turnout of so many people at the programme every year.
It is important to understand that one who has accepted Islam as a way of life has elevated himself or herself above all sentiments of 'nationalism'. They belong to a common bond of mankind as the Qur'an reveals, "Mankind was one single nation, and God sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings…" (2:213).
A Muslim is a vice-regent of Allah on Earth advocating on 'enjoining good and forbidding evil', again, inspired by a Qur'anic verse that says, "Those that turn (to God) in repentance; that serve Him, and praise Him; that wander in devotion to the cause of God,: that bow down and prostrate themselves in prayer; that enjoin good and forbid evil; and observe the limit set by God -- (These do rejoice). So proclaim the glad tidings to the Believers." (9:112).
Our name is our first identity and recognition. It is our name that tells the world who we are and where we stand. Where we are from (i.e., nationalism) comes next.
Muslims have been entrusted with a tough job to call the disbelieving world to Islam. A verse of the Qur'an directs: "Here is a Message for mankind: Let them take warning therefrom, and let them know that He is (no other than) One God: let men of understanding take heed." (14:052).
Therefore, no matter what, this Tabligh congregation works as a reminder when we tend to 'forget who we are' and what we were supposed to be doing. Our busy life on Earth causes us to forget. Therefore, this programme works as a reminder meeting.
According to Physics, "Energy cannot be created nor can it be destroyed, it is conserved". We transform from one energy form to another and our birth and death is just a process of coming into existence and moving back to the unseen world. Human as a material being is also a composition of energy particles that is meant to live forever. This world is nothing but a testing ground to see how much we score in our lifetime activities that would ultimately determine where our next abode will be - heaven or hell. No matter how busy we are, we must not forget about our ultimate goal and act accordingly while we still have the time and opportunity.
The writer is Chief Operating Officer, Central Depository Bangladesh Limited. He can be reached at
e-mail: www.cdbl.com.bd
BISHWA Ijtema (world congregation or global congregation or meeting) ended last month. It is said that approximately 2.5 million (25 lakh) people attended the programme, which basically is an annual Tablighi jamaat (conveying group), an Islamic movement congregation. Unofficially, it is called a "local Hajj" by the followers and the non-religious folks call it a "picnic of the maulanas (religious leaders)".
No matter what it is called, this non-political congregation began sometimes around 1946 and continues to draw people from all persuasion. Prayers are held for the spiritual adulation, exaltation and welfare of the Muslim community. This programme gives the people of Bangladesh an opportunity to interact with Muslims from other countries.
According to Wikipedia, Muhammad Ilyas founded the Tabligh movement in 1926 at Saharanpur of Uttar Pradesh, India and at the same time organised regional congregation or Ijtema. In course of time, Ijtema movement spread throughout the subcontinent and also influenced other regions. After 1947, three Ijtema centres developed in three parts of the subcontinent -- India, West Pakistan and the then East Pakistan. Biswa Ijtema at Tongi is the annual Tabligh congregation of Bangladesh which was East Pakistan before 1971. In addition to Tongi, Ijtemas are now held in Raiwind, Pakistan and Bhopal, India. However, in terms of popular attendance, the Tongi Ijtema is the largest of all these congregations.
The whole idea of this revival movement is based on the Qur'anic verse that says, "Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance." (16:125).
Tablighi jamaat is known for its peaceful strategies in guiding people to Islam. Their non-political stand attracts people from all walks of life. As a result, we see the turnout of so many people at the programme every year.
It is important to understand that one who has accepted Islam as a way of life has elevated himself or herself above all sentiments of 'nationalism'. They belong to a common bond of mankind as the Qur'an reveals, "Mankind was one single nation, and God sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings…" (2:213).
A Muslim is a vice-regent of Allah on Earth advocating on 'enjoining good and forbidding evil', again, inspired by a Qur'anic verse that says, "Those that turn (to God) in repentance; that serve Him, and praise Him; that wander in devotion to the cause of God,: that bow down and prostrate themselves in prayer; that enjoin good and forbid evil; and observe the limit set by God -- (These do rejoice). So proclaim the glad tidings to the Believers." (9:112).
Our name is our first identity and recognition. It is our name that tells the world who we are and where we stand. Where we are from (i.e., nationalism) comes next.
Muslims have been entrusted with a tough job to call the disbelieving world to Islam. A verse of the Qur'an directs: "Here is a Message for mankind: Let them take warning therefrom, and let them know that He is (no other than) One God: let men of understanding take heed." (14:052).
Therefore, no matter what, this Tabligh congregation works as a reminder when we tend to 'forget who we are' and what we were supposed to be doing. Our busy life on Earth causes us to forget. Therefore, this programme works as a reminder meeting.
According to Physics, "Energy cannot be created nor can it be destroyed, it is conserved". We transform from one energy form to another and our birth and death is just a process of coming into existence and moving back to the unseen world. Human as a material being is also a composition of energy particles that is meant to live forever. This world is nothing but a testing ground to see how much we score in our lifetime activities that would ultimately determine where our next abode will be - heaven or hell. No matter how busy we are, we must not forget about our ultimate goal and act accordingly while we still have the time and opportunity.
The writer is Chief Operating Officer, Central Depository Bangladesh Limited. He can be reached at
e-mail: www.cdbl.com.bd