DHAKA, Feb 3, 2019 (BSS) – Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal today expressed his optimism that the two factions of Tabligh Jamaat will stay united in holding the Bishwa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of Muslims, to be held in a single phase from February 15 to 17.
“Now there have been disputes among Tabligh Jamaat followers all over the world. Our country is not apart from that. We want Tabligh Jamaat followers remain together like they did earlier and Ijtema of this year will be held in a single phase,” he told reporters after a preparatory meeting for the Ijtema to be held on the bank of Tongi under Gazipur district.
The minister said there were difference of opinions between the two factions of Tabligh followers that led them to come to the government for settlement of the issue.
“We took a decision of holding the Ijtema in a single phase on the basis of their opinions,” he said.
State Minister for Religious Affairs Advocate Sheikh Md. Abdullah said the government discussed the matters with all stakeholders of the Ijtema and decided to arrange the large congregation of Muslims unitedly in a peaceful manner with due religious fervor.
Replying to a question, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque said talks are underway to decide who would deliver sermons, who will offer munajat and who will conduct the Ijtema.
Earlier, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, State Minister for Religious Affairs Advocate Sheikh Md. Abdullah, State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russell, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. Mohammad Javed Patwary and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General Benazir Ahmed, among others, attended the preparatory meeting.
Biswa Ijtema, which was earlier held in two phases, will be arranged in a single phase this year.
On January 24, the government announced the schedule of Ijtema following a meeting with two factions of Tabligh Jamaat.
On December 1, the two factions of Tabligh Jamaat were locked into infighting on the Ijtema ground in Tongi.