Jamaat’s 'National Rally': Activists march towards Suhrawardy Udyan

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is set to hold a "National Rally" at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on Saturday afternoon with party activists marching towards the venue since morning.

Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman will preside over the rally scheduled to begin at 2pm and several central leaders are expected to address the rally.

Party activists started arriving at the venue on Friday evening and began marching in processions from various city points early Saturday chanting various slogans.

Some had cloth tied around their heads, others were carrying party flags and a few were waving the red-and-green national flag of Bangladesh. Many were also seen wearing T-shirts bearing the party’s symbol—the scales.

Jamaat activists and supporters were also seen gathering in large numbers at several metro rail stations.

Jamaat-e-Islami activists said they are marching to press home their seven-point demand.

According to senior party leaders, this is the first rally being held by Jamaat at Suhrawardy Udyan since independence.

The event is being held amid a volatile political atmosphere marked by growing discord among political parties over upcoming national elections and recent unrest centering an NCP rally in Gopalganj where activists of the banned Awami League and Chhatra League reportedly carried out attacks.

To ensure a large turnout, Jamaat has made extensive preparations for carrying activists and supporters through  rail, road and river routes, party sources said.

"This rally will be a historic turning point. We expect more than 10 lakh people will participate -- not just party activists but also general people who are demanding a change amid the country’s current political deadlock," Jamaat's secretary general Mia Golam Parwar said at a press conference held at the Jatiya Press Club on Thursday.

To facilitate transportation for the massive turnout, the party has rented around 10,000 buses, four special trains and launches.

The party has also taken steps to ensure order and discipline at the event.

More than 6,000 volunteers will be deployed to help maintain internal security, manage the crowd, and coordinate logistics during the gathering.