Dhaka, Feb 01 (V7N) —Devotees from various Indian states are arriving in Bangladesh through the Benapole border to participate in the final prayer of the first phase of the 58th Bishwa Ijtema.
However, the number of arrivals remains significantly low.
On Saturday, an on-site visit revealed that only 220 Indian devotees had entered Bangladesh over the past three days to attend the final prayer of the first phase of the World Ijtema.
Compared to previous years, the number of foreign participants arriving through the Benapole checkpoint has dropped notably.
In previous years, approximately 4,000 to 5,000 foreign devotees would arrive via this checkpoint.
However, from Thursday to Saturday, only 220 Indian devotees have reportedly crossed the border this year, according to immigration sources.
Some foreign devotees are expected to arrive for the second phase of the Ijtema.
The concluding session of the 58th World Ijtema is scheduled to take place on Monday on the banks of the Turag River in Tongi, Dhaka.
The second phase of the gathering will commence after the Fajr sermon that day and will conclude with the final prayer on Wednesday.
Indian devotees are traveling from the Benapole landport to the World Ijtema ground in Tongi by bus or train.
Immigration authorities have also been seen conducting health screenings for the arriving devotees.
According to sources at the Benapole landport immigration, a delegation from Dhaka’s Kakrail Mosque, affiliated with Tabligh Jamaat, is stationed at the Benapole border to welcome foreign guests, arrange accommodations and facilitate their transportation to Dhaka.
The delegation is actively assisting arriving devotees.
Benapole International Checkpost Police Immigration Officer-in-Charge Imtiaz Ahsanul Kader Bhuiyan said that devotees from various Indian states are coming to join the World Ijtema, though the number remains significantly low this year.
Immigration procedures for foreign participants are being expedited, with a dedicated desk set up at the Benapole Immigration Office.
The immigration police are providing services to the foreign guests and the officer expressed his satisfaction in being able to assist them.
END/MSS/AJ
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