Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Wednesday said that Bishwa Ijtema will be held in February.

The minister came up with the announcement while briefing reporters after a meeting with two factions of the Tabligh Jamaat at his secretariat office, reports the UNB.

‘In today’s meeting it was decided that the Bishwa Ijtema will be held in Tongi in February. The two factions jointly will organize the second largest congregation of the Muslims after Hajj,’ said the minister.

Two factions of the Tabligh Jamaat—one led by Maulana Wasekh and other by Moulana Zubair--were present at the meeting where everyone spoke openly and it came out successful, he added.

‘But how and when the gathering will be held will be decided in another meeting tomorrow (Thursday) at Religious Affairs ministry at 10:30am,’he added.

Responding to a question from a journalist, the minister said that a decision was made that Maulana Saad of India will not join Ijtema this time.

When asked about how many phases of the Ijtema will be held this year, the minister said, ‘It will also be decided in tomorrow’s meeting.’

Meanwhile, State Minister for Religious Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah said that Ijtema will be held once in a year and unitedly.

‘No separate Ijtema will be held. The clashes those happened across the country are not desirable at all,’ he added.

The first phase of Biswa Ijtem was scheduled to be held from January 11-13 while the second one from January 18-20. But it was not held as per the schedule due to the 11th parliamentary election.