Published : 03 Sep 2026, 11:21 PM
Updated : 16 Sep 2026, 11:47 AM
Followers of Maulana Zubairul Hassan Kandhlawi will hold their Bishwa Ijtema in two phases at Tongi's Turag riverbank in January, while the dates for the followers of Muhammad Saad Kandhlawi have yet to be decided.
The first phase of the Ijtema for the Zubair followers will be held from Jan 8 to 10, followed by the second phase from Jan 15 to 17.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed disclosed the tentative schedule to reporters after meeting leaders of the Saad followers on Thursday.
The minister said he had earlier met the Zubair followers and informed the Saad followers about the discussions and dates agreed for their two-phase Ijtema in January.
The Tabligh Jamaat in Bangladesh is divided into two factions over leadership and ideological differences, one following Maulana Saad and the other Maulana Zubair.
The two sides have been at odds for several years over the organisation of the Bishwa Ijtema at Tongi.
The annual Ijtema was not held during the final period of the previous interim government because of the national election.
Before that, in January 2025, the home ministry issued a circular saying the Saad followers would hold their final Bishwa Ijtema at Tongi that year and would subsequently have to hold their gathering elsewhere.
Salahuddin said the Zubair followers had reminded him of the circular during their meeting and argued that the Saad followers should not be allowed to use the Tongi Ijtema ground again because they had agreed to the arrangement at the time.
However, the Saad followers told Thursday's meeting that they did not agree with the previous decision and did not know who had signed it.
They proposed holding their Ijtema at the same ground in a single phase after a reasonable gap following the two phases of the Zubair followers' event, or in late November before those phases begin.
The minister said the government would discuss the matter with the other faction as well as law enforcers and intelligence agencies before making a decision, with maintaining peace and public order as its top priority.
He said the Saad followers had been offered government assistance to hold their Ijtema elsewhere, but they were unwilling to accept that option.
Salahuddin also called on both factions to seek a compromise, noting previous clashes and physical altercations between them.
Asked whether Maulana Saad would be allowed to enter Bangladesh to attend the Ijtema, the minister said the matter would be decided by the Ministry of Religious Affairs in accordance with the visa policy.
