Warden Message
January 24, 2008
Bishaw Ijtema
The Muslims’ second-largest congregation "Bishwa Ijtema" will be held January 25 to 27 on the bank of the River Turga in Tongi. The main gathering point is about 3 KM north of the Airport. The government is expecting around five million visitors at the Ijtema this year.
Due to the Ijtema, major traffic disruptions are expected at Mohakhali, Kakoli, Nikunja, Natun Bazar, Khilkhet, Uttara and Tongi.
Airport road from Mohakhali to Tongi will be closed to public transportation and heavy traffic is expected on Natun Bazar Highway from 1800 hrs on 26th January until 1800 hrs on 27th January 2008.
Police have advised the Embassy that Airport road and all the roads from Gazipur Chourasta to Kuril should be avoided on the above mentioned dates. Please remain cautious while traveling in proximity to those areas.
Any American citizens planning travel over the coming weekend should keep in mind that this event will result in increased air travel into and out of Bangladesh, and should plan accordingly.
The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka can be reached at (880-2) 885-5500 during regular hours and for after-hours emergencies. Our website address is http://dhaka.usembassy.gov. For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://www.travel.state.gov <http://www.travel.state.gov/>, where the current Worldwide Caution, Bangladesh Country Specific Information and other Travel Alerts and Travel Warnings can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada; or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 am to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
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Dhaka, Bangladesh
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