Ijtema extended by a day

Biswa Ijtema, one of the largest congregations of Muslims, will be held for four days in a single phase from February 15 this time.

Maulana Jubair Hassan will conduct the Ijtema in the first two days while Syed Wasif Islam the last two days, said State Minister for Religious Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah yesterday.

He made the announcement after holding a meeting with two feuding groups of Tabligh Jamaat.

Tabligh Jamaat leaders will decide who will conduct the Akheri Munajat, the state minister added.

“Earlier, we had decided to hold the Ijtema on February 15-17, but following discussions with the two groups today, we've extended the time to four days. Now, the Ijtema will be held on February 15-18,” he said.

Additional law enforcers will be deployed at the venue to fend off any unwanted situation, he further said.

This time, the work on the ground for smooth holding of the congregation will be done under the supervision of Gazipur City Corporation Mayor Mohammad Jahangir Alam and State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russell, the state minister said.

The two-phase Biswa Ijtem was scheduled to be held on January 11-13 and January 18-20 last, but those were postponed due to the December-30 national election.

On December 1 last year, one person was killed and over 200 were injured in a series of clashes between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat for establishing control over Ijtema Maidan on the bank of the Turag River in Tongi.