World Ijtema Postponed to After National Elections: Religious Affairs Adviser
In a significant announcement, the annual Bishwa Ijtema organized by Tablighi Jamaat in Tongi, near Dhaka, will be held following the national elections scheduled for February next year. This decision was revealed by Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain after a crucial meeting at the Secretariat on Sunday with representatives from both factions of Tablighi Jamaat.
The gathering brought together leaders from the Zubair and Sa'ad factions, where consensus was reached to delay the event due to the ongoing election preparations. Speaking to journalists afterward, Dr. Hossain explained, "This decision stems from special circumstances. The country is already in the midst of election fervor, and law enforcement agencies will be fully occupied with election duties. Therefore, the Ijtema will take place after the elections and the holy month of Ramadan."
He emphasized that Tablighi Jamaat leaders have agreed to this timeline after careful consideration of the current situation. However, no final call has been made on which faction will host the first phase if the Ijtema is split into two parts, as has been the practice in recent years.
Dr. Hossain reiterated that the government has not yet decided the sequence for the two groups. When questioned about the elections, he assured that the administration is gearing up for a free, fair, and impartial vote, with no intentions or possibilities of postponing the polls.
This adjustment aims to ensure smooth conduct of both the democratic process and the massive religious congregation, which draws millions of devotees from across the globe to the banks of the Turag River each year.
0 Comments