Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DHAKA505
2006-01-30 11:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:
RECORD-BREAKING BISWA IJTEMA ENDS IN BANGLADESH
how-toVZCZCXRO5954 PP RUEHCI DE RUEHKA #0505 0301108 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 301108Z JAN 06 FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4945 INFO RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0902 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 7253 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 8827 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 8329 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1368 RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 0331 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 0081 RUEHDO/AMEMBASSY DOHA 0183 RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0009 RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RHHMHAA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI
UNCLAS DHAKA 000505
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KISL PGOV BG
SUBJECT: RECORD-BREAKING BISWA IJTEMA ENDS IN BANGLADESH
UNCLAS DHAKA 000505
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KISL PGOV BG
SUBJECT: RECORD-BREAKING BISWA IJTEMA ENDS IN BANGLADESH
1. (SBU) On January 30, after three days, Biswa Ijtema, the
world's second largest annual congregation of the Muslim
Ummah, ended. Media estimated that a record-breaking 2.5 to
3.5 million Bangladeshis attended, most of them on the last
day, along with over 4500 foreigners from over 60 countries.
Government offices were reported empty as officials took
unofficial leave to attend Akheri Munajat (final prayer) at
the Biswa Ijtema site located on the banks of the Turag river
in Tongi, a northern suburb of Dhaka.
2. (SBU) Security was tight as 25,000 police and the Rapid
Action Battalion (RAB) cordoned off the area, and helicopters
patrolled the site to guard against any possible attack by
Jamaatul Mujahedin Bangladesh (JMB) or others. During the
Biswa Ijtema, which means world congregation in Bangla,
vehicle traffic in the area surrounding the site was stopped,
and whole streets were turned into pedestrian malls to
accommodate the crowds. Local media reported three to five
deaths, and 50 arrests for pickpocketing .
3. (SBU) With only a few tents to protect the participants
from the sun, opening day was marked by prayer and sermons
from representatives from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The second day included lectures, sermons and "no dowry
marriages" in a mass ceremony. On the third day, Prime
Minister Zia and other senior government officials offered
prayers, and separately opposition leader Sheikh Hasina did
the same.
4. (SBU) Several foreigners, living in large tents separated
into regions of the world, enthusiastically told poloff that
unlike the Hajj which is obligatory, this gathering is
voluntary. A Jordanian in his mid-30s, happy to see an
American, while trying to force cookies and drink on poloff,
said that "here we are all brothers who only want to spread
the message of the supreme power of God." An American of
Iraqi descent said that the Tablighi Jamaat, which sponsors
the event, asks Muslims to spend their time and money to
promote Islam. Differences between Muslims such as those
between Shia and Sunni are not important here, when compared
to the "oneness of God." Many of the foreign participants
will remain in Bangladesh for several more weeks, and like
one middle class Qatari, will live spartanly and travel
throughout Bangladesh urging people to know God better. "We
are all spending our own money to help people know God," he
said.
CHAMMAS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KISL PGOV BG
SUBJECT: RECORD-BREAKING BISWA IJTEMA ENDS IN BANGLADESH
1. (SBU) On January 30, after three days, Biswa Ijtema, the
world's second largest annual congregation of the Muslim
Ummah, ended. Media estimated that a record-breaking 2.5 to
3.5 million Bangladeshis attended, most of them on the last
day, along with over 4500 foreigners from over 60 countries.
Government offices were reported empty as officials took
unofficial leave to attend Akheri Munajat (final prayer) at
the Biswa Ijtema site located on the banks of the Turag river
in Tongi, a northern suburb of Dhaka.
2. (SBU) Security was tight as 25,000 police and the Rapid
Action Battalion (RAB) cordoned off the area, and helicopters
patrolled the site to guard against any possible attack by
Jamaatul Mujahedin Bangladesh (JMB) or others. During the
Biswa Ijtema, which means world congregation in Bangla,
vehicle traffic in the area surrounding the site was stopped,
and whole streets were turned into pedestrian malls to
accommodate the crowds. Local media reported three to five
deaths, and 50 arrests for pickpocketing .
3. (SBU) With only a few tents to protect the participants
from the sun, opening day was marked by prayer and sermons
from representatives from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The second day included lectures, sermons and "no dowry
marriages" in a mass ceremony. On the third day, Prime
Minister Zia and other senior government officials offered
prayers, and separately opposition leader Sheikh Hasina did
the same.
4. (SBU) Several foreigners, living in large tents separated
into regions of the world, enthusiastically told poloff that
unlike the Hajj which is obligatory, this gathering is
voluntary. A Jordanian in his mid-30s, happy to see an
American, while trying to force cookies and drink on poloff,
said that "here we are all brothers who only want to spread
the message of the supreme power of God." An American of
Iraqi descent said that the Tablighi Jamaat, which sponsors
the event, asks Muslims to spend their time and money to
promote Islam. Differences between Muslims such as those
between Shia and Sunni are not important here, when compared
to the "oneness of God." Many of the foreign participants
will remain in Bangladesh for several more weeks, and like
one middle class Qatari, will live spartanly and travel
throughout Bangladesh urging people to know God better. "We
are all spending our own money to help people know God," he
said.
CHAMMAS