The government has decided to halt the Bishwa Ijtema scheduled to take place in January.

The decision was taken on Thursday (Nov 15) after the home ministry met with both factions of Tabligh-Jamaat, which organises the congregation.

Ijtema, the second largest Muslim congregation, takes place at Tongi by the banks of the Turag in the outskirts of Dhaka every year.

“All kinds of gathering are forbidden prior to the polls. Also there are disagreements in the two factions of Tabligh-Jamaat,” Secretary to the Ministry of Religious Affairs Anisur Rahman told Bangla Tribune.

“The Ijtema has been halted keeping all this in mind,” he added saying that a six-member delegation comprising of Tabligh- Jamaat representatives and government official will go to India to sort out the issues.

“Both factions will set a date after the polls are over with the government’s support,” Rahman said adding that until then all operations of Tablig-Jamaat will remain halted.

It has been confirmed that followers of Indian Tabligh-Jamaat scholar Maulana Saad Kandhalvi set the date of the gathering on Jan 11, 12 and 13. On the other hand, Qawmi Alem followers announced Jan 18, 19 and 20.

There were disagreements between the two factions regarding the district-based gatherings.

Sources at the meeting claim that the date has not been finalised because of the upcoming polls.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said “It is better to not set the date yet. If the polls take place in due time then the Ijtema can take place.”