Muslims to take pledge against terrorism (Lead)
September 3rd, 2010 - 7:05 pm ICT by IANSThiruvananthapuram, Sep 3 (IANS) Tens of thousands of Muslims will collect in Kerala Monday to take a pledge against terrorism on the 26th night of Ramadan in which organisers say will be one of the largest such gatherings in the world.
Sayyid Ibrahimul Khaleelul Bukhari, chairman of Ma’din Islamic Academy, told reporters: “This is the third largest gathering of its kind after Makkah and Madina. Here people congregate in search of the blessing of the special night called Lailathul Khadir. This time, people will take a pledge against terrorism.”
The first convention, held more than two decades ago, attracted a mere thousand Muslims. The number has gone up rapidly since then. Very soon, it is expected to touch a million mark.
“We have made arrangements for six lakh people. Around 5,000 volunteers are getting ready for the smooth conduct of the programme,” Bukhari added.
The prayers will be held on a 20-acre plot, with the devotees spilling onto both sides of a nearly seven kilometer stretch of the highway from Malappuram to Pokotur.
“Irrespective of caste or religion, all those living on either side of the highway allow the visitors to erect tents and provide them help. All those unable to get a place in the main venue are provided with televisions to witness the prayers,” said Saifudeen, one of the organisers.
The event is the brainchild of Sunni leader Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musaliyar. Malappuram is about 400 km from Thiruvananthapuram.
- Large Muslim congregation to take pledge against terrorism - Sep 03, 2010
- Kerala set for country's biggest Ramzan gathering Friday - Aug 22, 2011
- Malaysian team to study mosque structures in Kerala (Lead superseding earlier story) - Jan 31, 2011
- Malaysian team to study Kerala mosques - Jan 31, 2011
- Country's biggest Ramzan gathering in Malappuram Sep 16 - Sep 11, 2009
- Muslims to take oath against terrorism in Kerala - Sep 15, 2008
- Kerala Muslims celebrate Eid - Nov 07, 2011
- About 600,000 Muslims to take pledge against terrorism - Sep 26, 2008
- 17 years on, one convicted in Muslim cleric's murder - Sep 29, 2010
- Over 23,000 Indians arrive in Saudi Arabia for Haj - Oct 05, 2011
- Over 34,000 Indian Haj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia - Oct 08, 2011
- 13 Indian Haj pilgrims die in Saudi Arabia - Oct 12, 2011
- Muslims in Kerala celebrate Eid - Aug 31, 2011
- Be it Mammootty or common Muslims, Eid-ul-Azha touches all - Nov 17, 2010
- Three Indian Haj pilgrims die - Oct 07, 2011
Tags: acre plot, brainchild, caste, devotees, gatherings, islamic academy, kilometer stretch, lakh, makkah, malappuram, muslims, pledge, prayers, ramadan, smooth conduct, televisions, tens of thousands, tents, venue, volunteers