Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal today said that Bishwa Ijtema will be held anytime in February this year and two factions of the Tabligh Jamaat--one led by Maulana Wasekh and other by Moulana Zubair--will jointly organize the Ijtema.

“The final date of the gathering will be announced tomorrow (Thursday) after holding another meeting with the officials of Religious Affairs ministry in the capital,” Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal added.

The minister made the comments while responding to journalists after a meeting with two factions of the Tabligh Jamaat at his secretariat office in the city today. Leaders of the two factions of the Tabligh Jamaat were present during the meeting.

Replying to queries the minister also said: “The two factions have reached a consensus that they will organize the Ijtema programme in February.”

The minister also said that a decision was made that Maulana Saad of India will not join Ijtema this time.

The upcoming Biswa Ijtema was delayed due to the 11th parliamentary polls. According to the home ministry source, the Election Commission had suggested the deferment of the two-phase Muslim congregation for security reasons.

The first phase of Biswa Ijtema was scheduled to hold on January 11-13 while the second one on January 18-20 this year. Meanwhile, the general election was held on December 30.

Bishwa Ijtema is the second largest congregation of the Muslims after Hajj.