The three-day Aalmi Tablighi Ijtima – 2014 (World Islamic Congregation) would be held here at Ghasipura in Entkheri on the outskirts of Bhopal from December 6 to 8. This would be the 67th year of the religious meet considered as the fourth biggest gathering of Muslims in the world.
Aalmi Tablighi Ijtema (World preachers congregation) is an annual Islamic itjema congregation held in Bhopal, India, in the month of December. The three day congregation includes discussions about faith and peace.
The first ijtema was organised in 1949 at Masjid Shakoor Khan in Bhopal’s old walled city. After the event grew, the venue was changed to Taj-ul-Masajid (Asia’s biggest mosque then)[citation needed]. Since 2005 because of the heavy crowd the venue has been shifted to Ghasipura, 11 km from Bhopal.
Ijtema is held on a Saturday, Sunday and Monday every year in December. Jamaats gather from around the world. The congregation begins with Fajr salah on Saturday morning followed by a series of lectures from different Muslim scholars and clerics. A break is given after dhuhr namaz.[5] The program continues all weekend and concludes with final prayers on Monday afternoon. Mass marriages also takes place on Saturday and Sunday.
Scholars speak on a variety of subjects including the Islamic way of life and the Six Principles. After the final prayer, Jamaats are formed which then travel around the world to preach a about Islam. About a million people gather for Final prayers and half a million stay on Ijtema ground during the three days.[citation needed] People from different societies come here to listen to peace talks and to learn about Islam.
The government of Madhya Pradesh provides electricity, water supply and security along with parking places for the convenience of Jamaats. Jamaats from different parts of the world as far as from west also attend this congregation. Translators for people from foreign countries, and translators for deaf and dumb are also provided by Ijtema committee.
