Re: Why Pakistani people have not taken to the streets?
Millions of people have congregated in Raiwind for a religious confgerence. Proof that 99.999% of people are just getting on with their lives as normal.
1.5m people attend Raiwind congregation
Saturday, November 10, 2007
AROUND 1.5 million people today attended the Tableeghi Ijtima at Raiwind and offered Friday prayers. The Tableeghi Ijtima which started on Thursday witnessed traditional zeal as people in great numbers started gathering there just before the morning prayer. Special lectures were delivered by scholars highlighting the teachings of Islam and Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). People remained busy in offering prayers in their respective circles until Friday prayers. A large number of people from Pakistan as well as other parts of the world - irrespective of their colour, cast and creed - gathered at Raiwind and bowed before Allah Almighty. Prominent figures, including Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, top bureaucrats and provincial ministers also attended the Friday prayers. Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool was also expected to offer his Juma prayers at the Tableeghi Ijtima but he could not reach there. Special security arrangements were made to facilitate millions of people.
The administration during the current year had divided the Tableeghi Ijtima in two phases. The first ongoing phase of the congregation started on November 08 and over 1.5 million people attended. It would conclude on November 11, 2007. The second phase of the congregation would commence from November 15 and conclude on November 18. The administration while explaining the reasons for dividing the Ijtima in two phases stated that the security concerns forced the administration to make such decisions. No Muslim could target such religious gathering but the main reason was to manage the huge rush, it said. Muhammad Jameel, a representative of the administration, said a large number of people had arrived to attend the ijtima and it was difficult to manage all the people at the same time. He said last year around 3 million people attended the final Dua. To ensure foolproof security, hundreds of personnel of law enforcement agencies were deployed at the venue. Private security guards were deployed at ‘Pandal’ (the place where activities of the congregation take place). The provincial and the City District Government Lahore had also taken various steps to facilitate people arriving from all over the country to attend this congregation. The city government had arranged supply of water at the venue for ablution, washing and drinking purposes. Special trains were run from all parts of the country to Raiwind to facilitate the participants during the three-day congregation and especially after the final Dua after which around over 2 million people would start returning to their homes. Pakistan Railways had also ensured that all trains stop at Raiwind railway station for a longer duration. Six trains were plying between Lahore and Raiwind. Two additional trains will be run on the last day of the congregation.