Dhaka: The two-phase Biswa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of Muslims after Hajj, will not be held as per the schedule this time due to the national election.

A meeting with two factions of Tablig Jamaat held at the secretariat on Thursday with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan in the chair decided to defer the Biswa Ijtema, reports the UNB.

However, no decision was taken about when the Biswa Ijtema will begin.

Talking to UNB, the home minister said it will not be possible to provide security during the Biswa Ijtema due to the 11th parliamentary elections. ‘The Election Commission also wants that the congregation is held after the election.’

He said the new date for the Ijtema will be decided after the election.

The first phase of Biswa Ijtem was scheduled to be held on January 11-13 while the second one on January 18-20 next.

As per the latest schedule, the general election will be held on December 30.