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A thread on #TabligiJamaat, the Islamic group at the heart of India's biggest coronavirus cluster.
March 18 - alarm bells go off after Indonesians test +ve
March 21 - Indian govt writes to states
March 29 - Manhunt begins to track down 9,000 people https://in.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-india-islam-insigh/the-religious-retreat-that-sparked-indias-major-coronavirus-manhunt-idINKBN21K3KN
March 18 - alarm bells go off after Indonesians test +ve
March 21 - Indian govt writes to states
March 29 - Manhunt begins to track down 9,000 people https://in.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-india-islam-insigh/the-religious-retreat-that-sparked-indias-major-coronavirus-manhunt-idINKBN21K3KN
On March 13 - two weeks after a #TabligiJamaat meeting in Malaysia kicks off a huge outbreak in SE Asia - members gather in New Delhi's #NizamuddinMarkaz HQ for a conference.
In attendance are 200 Malaysians and Indonesians, according to two top leaders interviewed by Reuters.
In attendance are 200 Malaysians and Indonesians, according to two top leaders interviewed by Reuters.
Tablighi Jamaat (TJ) is an orthodox Islamic missionary movement with members across the world.
Thousands of people from across Asia and elsewhere gather at its global HQ (the Markaz) in Delhi’s densely-populated Nizamuddin West area, famous for its Sufi shrines and kebab stalls.
Thousands of people from across Asia and elsewhere gather at its global HQ (the Markaz) in Delhi’s densely-populated Nizamuddin West area, famous for its Sufi shrines and kebab stalls.
The Markaz has multiple floors with large halls where prayers are held and sermons delivered. At night, it turns into sleeping quarters for 200-300 people on each floor.
It typically hosts between 2,000-4,000 people on most days, with events scheduled at least a year in advance.
It typically hosts between 2,000-4,000 people on most days, with events scheduled at least a year in advance.
On March 16, Delhi announces restrictions on gatherings - but the TJ keeps its headquarters open and continues operations.
MHA estimates 1,750 people, including 216 foreigners, were at the Markaz on March 21.
Eventually, more than 2,300 people were moved out of there this week.
MHA estimates 1,750 people, including 216 foreigners, were at the Markaz on March 21.
Eventually, more than 2,300 people were moved out of there this week.
The Markaz came into focus after some Indonesians linked to the group tested positive for the coronavirus in Telangana around March 18.
Some 10 days later, a nationwide manhunt ensued to track down 9,000 people incld TJ workers who had passed through the Markaz & their contacts.
Some 10 days later, a nationwide manhunt ensued to track down 9,000 people incld TJ workers who had passed through the Markaz & their contacts.
In Andhra Pradesh, authorities tracked down around 1,000 people in five days.
They fed names into multiple databases, incld taxpayer lists, to find local addresses.
Then, police, municipal officials and village-level volunteers were deployed. Cell tower tracking was also used.
They fed names into multiple databases, incld taxpayer lists, to find local addresses.
Then, police, municipal officials and village-level volunteers were deployed. Cell tower tracking was also used.
About a fifth of all India's coronavirus cases are now linked to the TJ and the Markaz, stretching from Kashmir in the north to southern Tamil Nadu and Assam in the northeast.
In Tamil Nadu, some 85% of all coronavirus cases are those who traveled to Nizamuddin.
In Tamil Nadu, some 85% of all coronavirus cases are those who traveled to Nizamuddin.
A TJ spokesman denied it was the source for a major outbreak: “India by then had already hundreds of cases. So, it will be wrong to say that Markaz was a major source of outbreak in the country.”
He said most foreign attendees of the March gathering had arrived weeks in advance.
He said most foreign attendees of the March gathering had arrived weeks in advance.
There is fear and paranoia nearby.
In Sarai Kale Khan, which borders Nizamuddin, a group of men wielding sticks have barricaded the entrance to the area.
“We will stay here until the government tells us it’s safe,” said one of the men said.
/ENDS https://in.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-india-islam-insigh/the-religious-retreat-that-sparked-indias-major-coronavirus-manhunt-idINKBN21K3KN
In Sarai Kale Khan, which borders Nizamuddin, a group of men wielding sticks have barricaded the entrance to the area.
“We will stay here until the government tells us it’s safe,” said one of the men said.
/ENDS https://in.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-india-islam-insigh/the-religious-retreat-that-sparked-indias-major-coronavirus-manhunt-idINKBN21K3KN
