The Bishwa Ijtema will be held as scheduled despite feuds between two factions organisers Tabligh Jamaat, says Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan.
“Bangladesh will host the Ijtema and it will continue further,” he said during a meeting at the Ijtema grounds at Gazipur's Tongi on Thursday (Jan 2).
“Security will be beefed up at grounds and its surroundings ahead of the 55th Bishwa Ijtema,” said Minister Khan.
The annual second-largest congregation of Muslims after the Hajj is scheduled to be held in two phases later this month on the banks of the Turag River in Tongi, at the outskirts of Dhaka.
However, as the upcoming Ijtema appears to be threatened with feuds that may culminate in violence again.
According to the meeting held at home ministry on Oct 28, the two factions of Tabligh Jamaat have agreed to host the two phases separately. In the meeting, it has been decided that Indian preacher Maulana Saad Kandhalvi will not attend the event.
The faction led by Mawlana Jubayer, which is anti-Saad, will host the first phase scheduled for Jan 10 to Jan 12. The second phase will take place from Jan 17 to Jan 19 under pro-Saad Wasiful Islam’s faction.
In December 2018, Kandhalvi's followers clashed with the followers of Maulana Jubayer, who opposed him, leading to the death of one person and causing injuries to over 200 at Kakrail.
Following the intervention of Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, the issue was reined in somewhat.
However, simmering old rivalries are rearing their heads once again ahead of the forthcoming Ijtema.
Kandhalvi’s supporters claim they are allowed to operate out of Kakrail mosque for only 15 days, while Jubayer’s people can stay there for up to 30 days.
Meanwhile, sources at the Ministry of Religious Affairs said they wanted to get both phases of the Ijtema out of the way before focusing on the Kakrail mosque issue.

Bangla Tribune correspondent in Gazipur provided inputs for this story.