A Suffolk village is preparing for an influx of up to 100,000 Muslim pilgrims for a festival organised by a fundamentalist mosque. The three-day 'Ijtema', or gathering, is being arranged by the Markazi Mosque in Didsbury, West Yorkshire, and is expected to attract worshippers from around the world.
Local Opposition
Residents of Barham, near Ipswich, have called for the event, scheduled for July 2026 at the Grade II listed Shrubland Hall, to be cancelled. They argue that the village, which has a population of roughly 1,600, cannot accommodate such a large number of visitors and fear significant traffic congestion.
Event Details
The organiser, a UK registered charity named Anuman-e-Islahul Muslimeen, lists 'running of a mosque' among its activities. A promotional video describes Shrubland Hall as a 'sanctuary' and urges Muslims worldwide to attend. The video states: 'As we prepare for this Ijtema, due to be held on the tenth, eleventh and twelfth of this year, July 2026. We are honoured and we anticipate the arrival of our respected World Amir Sheikh Saad Hafidhahullah whose arrival will be a beacon of guidance for the entire humanity.'
The video adds: 'This historic venue is more than just a location. It is an Amanah, a blessed vessel for dhikr and the concern and the fikr of humanity and a revival of our Iman in this age of distraction.'
Capacity Concerns
Organisers initially claimed over 100,000 attendees, but this number has since been reduced to 10,000. The venue was reportedly chosen over ExCel London and the NEC in Birmingham. Residents learned of the event from young men at the local Co-op, who mentioned preparing marquees.
One critic described the potential impact as 'absolutely horrendous', stating: 'I've been to Shrubland Hall when it was still a health spa and I cannot imagine 100k people on the grounds, let alone the sheer volume of traffic on the roads towards Barham. It's insane.' Another said: '100,000 people, that is two-thirds of the population of Ipswich. Four people per car equals 25,000 cars. Wow.'
Religious Context
The event will include prayer, communal meals, and religious lectures. The Markazi Mosque is a Sunni place of worship and serves as the European headquarters of the Tablighi Jamaat sect, an ultra-conservative group with an estimated 80 million followers. Notably, two of the 7/7 suicide bombers, Mohammed Siddique Khan and Shezad Tanweer, reportedly visited Markazi Mosque for prayers, though the mosque has denied any connection to radicalisation.
An Ijtema is a large religious gathering typical of the Tablighi Jamaat, similar to the Bishwa Ijtema in Bangladesh and the Raiwind Ijtema in Pakistan. Shrubland Hall, built in the 1770s, was a private residence for noblemen until it was sold in 2006 by Baron de Saumarez to pay inheritance tax. The estate was purchased in 2009 for £6 million by Dr Muhammad Farmer, who still owns it.
