World Ijtema to Be Held in Peaceful Environment, Government Determined: Home Minister

The government is firmly committed to maintaining law and order and ensuring that the 2027 World Ijtema is held in a peaceful, secure and orderly environment, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said.

The minister called upon both factions of Tabligh Jamaat to resolve their differences through dialogue and mutual understanding and to cooperate with the authorities so that the religious gathering can take place without any form of disorder or confrontation.

He made the remarks while briefing journalists after a meeting with representatives of the Saad-following faction of Tabligh Jamaat Bangladesh at the conference room of the Home Ministry on Thursday. The meeting discussed the dates of the upcoming World Ijtema, security arrangements, law and order, the use of the Tongi Ijtema ground and other related matters.

Two-phase Ijtema schedule finalized

Speaking about preparations for the next World Ijtema, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said detailed discussions had taken place with senior representatives of the Saad-following faction.

He said the government had already held discussions with representatives of the Zubayer-following faction as well. After considering the views and concerns of the parties involved, the government has finalized a two-phase schedule for the 2027 World Ijtema.

According to the schedule, the first phase will be held from January 8 to 10, 2027, while the second phase will take place from January 15 to 17, 2027, at the Tongi World Ijtema ground.

The decision to hold the gathering in two phases is expected to facilitate the participation of large numbers of devotees while helping the authorities maintain security, traffic management and overall public order.

The minister stressed that the government wants the event to be organized peacefully and without creating tension between the two factions.

Dispute over use of Tongi ground remains

One of the key issues discussed during the meeting was the use of the Tongi World Ijtema ground.

According to the minister, representatives of both factions have expressed their desire to use the Tongi ground for their respective gatherings.

He recalled that during the previous government, an agreement had been signed on the basis of a consensus between the Zubayer-following and Saad-following groups. Under that decision, followers of the Saad faction were not supposed to hold their Ijtema at the Tongi ground.

However, during Thursday's meeting, representatives of the Saad-following faction expressed disagreement with that earlier decision and renewed their demand to participate at the Tongi venue.

The Saad-following representatives also proposed holding a separate, one-phase Ijtema at the Tongi ground after completion of the two phases of the main World Ijtema. They suggested that the additional gathering could be organized after maintaining a reasonable time gap—either before Ramadan or toward the end of November.

The government is considering the proposal seriously, the Home Minister said.

He added that no final decision would be taken without assessing the possible impact on public safety and law and order. Further discussions will be held with representatives of both sides, while the opinions of the law enforcement agencies will also be taken into consideration before reaching a final decision.

Government seeks consensus instead of confrontation

The Home Minister's remarks underline the government's preference for resolving the long-standing differences within Tabligh Jamaat through discussion rather than confrontation.

The rivalry between the two factions has periodically created challenges surrounding the organization and management of the World Ijtema. Given the enormous number of devotees who gather at Tongi during the event, even a relatively small dispute can potentially create significant security, traffic and public-safety concerns.

Against this backdrop, the government appears to be placing particular emphasis on dialogue, coordination and advance security planning.

Salahuddin Ahmed urged both sides to refrain from activities that could create disorder and instead work toward a mutually acceptable arrangement.

The government, he said, remains committed to ensuring that devotees can attend the Ijtema in a safe and peaceful environment.

Decision on Maulana Saad's arrival subject to policy

The issue of whether Maulana Saad will be able to come to Bangladesh was also raised during the briefing.

In response, the Home Minister said the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the country's visa policy and the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

He made it clear that any decision regarding Maulana Saad's arrival would be taken in accordance with the relevant policies and regulations.

The statement effectively places the issue within the existing administrative and policy framework rather than treating it as a separate decision connected solely to the arrangements for the World Ijtema.

Minister claims improvement in overall law and order

The briefing also covered the country's overall law-and-order situation.

Responding to questions from journalists, the Home Minister said an analysis of available information and data indicates that the overall crime situation has come under greater control compared with the previous period.

According to him, there has been a significant improvement in the country's law-and-order situation.

He said compiled information received from the Police Headquarters, including centre-based and district-based data, shows that the rates of various crimes—including murder, kidnapping and violence against women—have declined considerably.

The minister attributed the improvement to the continuous efforts of law enforcement agencies.

He said restoring public safety and social order requires sustained efforts, and the government will continue monitoring the situation on a regular basis.

Police praised for rapid response to recent killing

The minister cited a recent incident in the capital to highlight the active role of police in combating crime.

He said a schoolteacher had recently died after becoming the victim of a robbery in Dhaka. According to the minister, police succeeded in arresting the principal accused within just 12 hours of the incident.

The motorcycle allegedly used in the crime was also recovered, while materials used by the perpetrators were seized and handed over to the court, he said.

The minister described the rapid investigation and arrest as an example of the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies in responding to serious crimes.

He also said the internal intelligence and monitoring mechanisms within the law enforcement agencies are highly active.

If there is any specific information indicating negligence, non-cooperation or dereliction of duty by a member of a law enforcement agency, the matter will be investigated and appropriate action will be taken, he said.

Continuous monitoring promised

The government is closely monitoring the country's law-and-order situation and remains committed to maintaining transparency in the process, the Home Minister said.

He reiterated that efforts to improve the security situation will continue without interruption.

The government will continue analyzing crime data and information received from different parts of the country, he said, with the objective of making improvements in law enforcement more sustainable.

The minister emphasized that public safety remains a central responsibility of the government and that the authorities will continue working to meet people's expectations regarding security and social stability.

Religious Affairs Ministry involved in Ijtema coordination

The meeting was chaired by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. Religious Affairs State Minister Mohammad Shamim Kaisar attended the meeting as a special guest.

Senior officials from the Home Ministry and the Ministry of Religious Affairs were present, along with representatives of the Saad-following faction of Tabligh Jamaat.

The participation of officials from both ministries reflects the multidimensional nature of the World Ijtema arrangements. While the Home Ministry and law enforcement agencies are responsible for security and public order, religious and administrative matters connected with the gathering also require coordination with the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Previous meeting held with Zubayer-following faction

Thursday's meeting was not the government's first formal discussion on the 2027 World Ijtema.

Earlier, on August 18, 2026, a similar meeting was held under the chairmanship of Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. Representatives of the Zubayer-following faction of Tabligh Jamaat participated in that meeting.

The August meeting discussed the date of the World Ijtema, maintenance of law and order, overall security arrangements and other relevant issues.

The subsequent meeting with the Saad-following representatives indicates that the government has been engaging with both sides separately as part of its efforts to reach an arrangement acceptable from the perspectives of security, public safety and religious practice.

Focus now on peaceful implementation

With the dates for the two main phases already determined, attention is now likely to shift toward detailed preparations for the massive gathering.

The Tongi Ijtema ground traditionally attracts huge numbers of devotees, making the event one of the country's largest religious gatherings. Ensuring safe movement of people, preventing clashes, managing traffic and maintaining public order will therefore remain major challenges for the authorities.

The government's decision to consult both factions before making a final decision on the disputed use of the venue suggests that security considerations will play a central role in the final arrangements.

For millions of devotees and the wider public, the expectation is that the disagreements surrounding the organization of the Ijtema will be resolved through dialogue and that the event will proceed without conflict.

The Home Minister's message was clear: the government wants the World Ijtema to be a peaceful religious gathering, and it is prepared to take all necessary measures to protect law and order and public safety.

As preparations move forward, further consultations between the government, law enforcement agencies and the two factions of Tabligh Jamaat are expected to determine the final arrangements, particularly regarding the use of the Tongi ground by the Saad-following faction.