District Correspondent, Sylhet: Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) Commissioner Md. Rezaul Karim stated that extensive preparations have been made to ensure that this year’s Urs at the Shahjalal (R.A.) Shrine is conducted in a more disciplined and sacred environment. A monitoring committee comprising police administration, shrine authorities, religious scholars, journalists, and representatives from various sectors will oversee the proceedings of the Urs. To preserve the sanctity of the shrine during the Urs, devotees are urged to refrain from all acts of shirk and bid‘ah, including prostration at the shrine. Women have been requested to maintain modesty, and strict measures will be taken to prevent gatherings involving alcohol or drugs. The monitoring committee will remain vigilant to ensure adherence to these guidelines.
Additionally, various police teams will be stationed in and around the shrine premises throughout the Urs to prevent all immoral, un-Islamic, and disorderly activities. The police will also work to curb incidents of theft, robbery, and fraudulent activities. Law enforcement officers will be deployed in plainclothes to maintain security.
The SMP Commissioner made these remarks during a press briefing at the shrine premises on Friday after the Asr prayer.
In response to questions from journalists, he mentioned that banners have been installed in front of the Shahjalal (R.A.) Shrine to discourage acts of prostration, except during prayers. He added that more banners like this need to be placed at other locations around the shrine, and the shrine authorities have been informed about this requirement.
Prominent attendees at the press briefing included former Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Acting President of Sylhet Metropolitan BNP Rezaul Hasan Kayes Lodi, Khateeb of Bandarbazar Central Jame Mosque Maulana Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, President of the National Imam Association Sylhet Metropolitan Branch Maulana Habib Ahmad Shihab, Member Secretary of Hazrat Shahjalal (R.A.) Tawhidi Kafela Maulana Shah Mamshad Ahmad, and Darussalam Madrasa teacher Maulana Neyamatullah Khasdobi.
Also present were relevant officials from the Army and RAB-9, shrine authorities, and leaders of the Urs monitoring committee formed by the police.
After the press briefing, the SMP Commissioner visited the shrine premises. During this visit, he interacted with religious scholars, shrine authorities, journalists, and members of the law enforcement agencies.
It is worth mentioning that the Urs at the Shahjalal (R.A.) Shrine will take place on May 18 and 19. Devotees have already started arriving at the shrine, bringing sacrificial animals and other offerings for fulfillment of vows. To maintain law and order, the police have already taken extensive preparations and implemented necessary security measures.
