The government has permitted Maulana Muhammad Saad Kandhalvi's followers to hold the second phase of Bishwa Ijtema this year under the condition that they will no longer organize Bishwa Ijtema or Tablighi activities at Tongi’s Ijtema ground from next year.
The directive was issued in a letter signed by Abu Sayeed, deputy secretary of the Political-6 Branch of the Public Security Department under the Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday.
Subject to these conditions, Maulana Saad’s followers will be allowed to hold Ijtema at Tongi ground from February 14-16.
The letter outlined the following schedule for the transition of the Ijtema ground:
- The first phase of Bishwa Ijtema, organized by the followers of Shura-e-Nizam (Maulana Muhammad Zubair), which began on January 31, will conclude on Wednesday.
- After Maghrib prayers on Thursday, the Shura-e-Nizam group will hand over the Ijtema ground to the administration.
- The second phase, led by Maulana Saad’s followers, will be held from February 14-16.
- After Maghrib prayers on February 18, Syed Wasif Islam, a follower of Maulana Saad, will hand over the ground to the administration.
- On February 20, the administration will return the ground to Shura-e-Nizam or Maulana Muhammad Zubair’s group.
The decision aims to resolve tensions between the two factions of Tabligh Jamaat Bangladesh over the use of Tongi Ijtema ground.
