TL;DR
- Bishwa Ijtema, the world’s second-largest Muslim gathering, to be held in two phases from January 31 to February 9, 2024, in Tongi, Bangladesh
- First phase from January 31 to February 2, second phase from February 7 to 9, as announced by Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury
- Meeting attended by only one faction of Tabligh Jamaat led by Muhammad Saad Kandhalvi; government working to unite both factions
- Decision on which faction will lead the first phase to be determined in a future meeting and announced in due course
Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury announced today that the Bishwa Ijtema, one of the largest congregations of Muslims worldwide, will take place in two phases early next year. The event is scheduled from January 31 to February 9, 2024, on the banks of the Turag River in Tongi, near Dhaka.
The first phase of the Ijtema will run from January 31 to February 2, followed by the second phase from February 7 to 9. This announcement came after a meeting between government officials and representatives of Tabligh Jamaat, the Islamic missionary movement that organizes the annual gathering.
Notably, the meeting at the secretariat was attended by only one faction of Tabligh Jamaat, led by Muhammad Saad Kandhalvi. The other faction, headed by Maulana Zubair Hassan, was absent. When questioned about this, Chowdhury explained, “They are top Islamic scholars, and many are traveling abroad, so they were unable to attend.”
The Home Affairs Adviser also revealed ongoing efforts by the government to unify the two factions of Tabligh Jamaat. “The government is trying to bring both groups under a single entity, and discussions are already on with Alems (scholars),” he stated.
The decision on which faction will lead the first phase of the congregation is yet to be determined. Chowdhury indicated that this would be decided in a future meeting and announced in due course.
This development follows an advisory council meeting held on October 22, where Chowdhury had recommended discussions to enhance the congregation and emphasized the need to unite the two factions of Tabligh Jamaat.
The Bishwa Ijtema, second only to the Hajj in size, attracts millions of Muslims from around the world. It serves as a platform for prayer, spiritual reflection, and the promotion of peace and unity within the global Muslim community. The event’s organization in two phases, a practice that began in 2011, allows for better accommodation of the large number of attendees.
As preparations for this significant religious gathering get underway, authorities are expected to implement comprehensive security measures and logistical arrangements to ensure a smooth and safe experience for all participants.
