Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain today said this year's 'Bishwa Ijtema' of Tablighi will be held after the national elections. 

"I have discussed thoroughly over the upcoming Ijtema with the Tablighi Jamaat leaders. The law enforcement agencies are busy over the elections now, and the election atmosphere has started. On the other hand, a lot of devotees will gather in the Ijtema, and there is the involvement of law enforcement agencies, so we have decided that the Ijtema will be held after the elections," he said.

The adviser said this to reporters after a view exchange meeting with the two factions of Tablighi Jamaat.

Khalid said, "After the elections, we will have to sit and decide on the exact day of the Bishwa Ijtema. However, it has been finalized that the Ijtema of Tablighi will not be held before the elections. The date will be decided at a convenient time after the elections."

Replying to a query, the adviser said there is no sign of the elections being postponed for now. The government is committed to holding the elections within the first half of February. Therefore, nothing can be said in advance about this right now, he added.

Before the elections, he said, law and order often deteriorates sporadically. So, they have understood that it would not be appropriate for the government to allow such a big gathering before this (election), where foreign guests will also be present, he added.