01-01-2008, 06:57 AM
<b>Azamgarh to host Islamâs largest global meet </b>
Anurag Singh; Expressindia. com ; Dec 29, 2007
Sherwan (Azamgarh), December 28 Ever imagined 300 hotels, 14 dispensaries, a hospital, four towers of cellular service providers and a perfect accommodation for lakhs of pilgrims at a single village?
<b>Not a poll promise, it is just the scene at Sherwan, a nondescript hamlet in this corner of Uttar Pradesh. </b>
The village has turned into a makeshift pilgrimage for Muslims who will gather from December 29 to 31for the Alami Ijtema (the largest international congregation) of <b>global Islamic movement Tablighi Jammat</b>.
The jammat is likely to be attended by devouts from across the globe, including Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, the UK, France and Canada.
âI cannot give the exact figure, but we are expecting the around 15 to 20 lakh people. <b>This congregation is basically to judge the effectiveness of the Tablighi Jamaat, whose network preaches Islam across the world,â said chief coordinator of the Ijtema, Dr Anwar Ahmad</b>.
Similar congregations were held in Jaunpur, Allahabad and Barabanki in the 90s.
The sprawling area houses 250 Unani and modern medicine practitioners, who will man the dispensaries. Besides, a 10-bed makeshift hospital has also been created at the Ibnesina Tibiah College.
Arrangements for drinking water, electricity and transportation have also been made.
The village, just 2 kms from underworld don Abu Salemâs native Saraimeer and 10 kms from Rani Ki Sarai â home to Mohd Tariq (arrested in connection with the November 23 serial blasts) â however, has no room for strangers and shutterbugs.
An army of young volunteers is there to ensure that no stranger sneaks into the 40-lakh square feet arena, especially after sunset.
âNo stranger is allowed without the permission of Ijtema authorities. The media will be allowed to cover it only with the permission from organisers and that too on an assurance that no photographs will be taken,â said Mohd Arif Sherwani, a volunteer.
Like Arif, people from several parts of the country, including a businessman from Bandra (Mumbai), Niyaz Azmi and Abdul Majid, Unani doctor from Bhopal, are rendering service for the success of the congregation.
Tight security is in place in wake of the allegations that Jamaat has links with terrorists, including British car bombing suspects Kafeel and Saebeel.
Azamgarh District Magistrate Vikash Gothaliwal told The Indian Express that a round-the-clock vigil is being maintained.
http://www.expressi ndia.com/ latest-news/ Azamgarh- to-host-Islams- largest-global- meet/255563/
Anurag Singh; Expressindia. com ; Dec 29, 2007
Sherwan (Azamgarh), December 28 Ever imagined 300 hotels, 14 dispensaries, a hospital, four towers of cellular service providers and a perfect accommodation for lakhs of pilgrims at a single village?
<b>Not a poll promise, it is just the scene at Sherwan, a nondescript hamlet in this corner of Uttar Pradesh. </b>
The village has turned into a makeshift pilgrimage for Muslims who will gather from December 29 to 31for the Alami Ijtema (the largest international congregation) of <b>global Islamic movement Tablighi Jammat</b>.
The jammat is likely to be attended by devouts from across the globe, including Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, the UK, France and Canada.
âI cannot give the exact figure, but we are expecting the around 15 to 20 lakh people. <b>This congregation is basically to judge the effectiveness of the Tablighi Jamaat, whose network preaches Islam across the world,â said chief coordinator of the Ijtema, Dr Anwar Ahmad</b>.
Similar congregations were held in Jaunpur, Allahabad and Barabanki in the 90s.
The sprawling area houses 250 Unani and modern medicine practitioners, who will man the dispensaries. Besides, a 10-bed makeshift hospital has also been created at the Ibnesina Tibiah College.
Arrangements for drinking water, electricity and transportation have also been made.
The village, just 2 kms from underworld don Abu Salemâs native Saraimeer and 10 kms from Rani Ki Sarai â home to Mohd Tariq (arrested in connection with the November 23 serial blasts) â however, has no room for strangers and shutterbugs.
An army of young volunteers is there to ensure that no stranger sneaks into the 40-lakh square feet arena, especially after sunset.
âNo stranger is allowed without the permission of Ijtema authorities. The media will be allowed to cover it only with the permission from organisers and that too on an assurance that no photographs will be taken,â said Mohd Arif Sherwani, a volunteer.
Like Arif, people from several parts of the country, including a businessman from Bandra (Mumbai), Niyaz Azmi and Abdul Majid, Unani doctor from Bhopal, are rendering service for the success of the congregation.
Tight security is in place in wake of the allegations that Jamaat has links with terrorists, including British car bombing suspects Kafeel and Saebeel.
Azamgarh District Magistrate Vikash Gothaliwal told The Indian Express that a round-the-clock vigil is being maintained.
http://www.expressi ndia.com/ latest-news/ Azamgarh- to-host-Islams- largest-global- meet/255563/