Breaking News: 4 Dead, 40 Injured in Clashes Between Two Tabligh Jamaat Factions at Bishwa Ijtema in Bangladesh

Four people were killed and at least 40 others injured in a clash between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat at the Biswa Ijtema ground in Tongi on Wednesday.

The deceased include Amirul Islam Bachhu, 70, from Kishoreganj, Bilal Hossain, 60, from Faridpur, and Tajul Islam, 70, from Bogura, while the identity of the fourth victim remains unknown.

The clashes reportedly began at around 3am when one faction attempted to take control of the Ijtema ground.The followers of Maulana Saad and Maulana Zubair have been in conflict for several years.

The government had scheduled the first phase of Biswa Ijtema for Zubair’s followers from January 31 to February 2, while the second phase for Saad’s faction from February 7 to 9.However, opposition to this decision heightened the tensions.

Earlier in the month, both factions planned separate preparatory events (Jor Ijtema) leading up to the main congregation. The Zubair faction held their event from November 29 to December 3, while the Saad faction announced theirs for December 20.

Disputes over the use of the Ijtema grounds led to confrontations. Both sides have accused each other of initiating the violence, with reports of attacks involving bricks, knives, and other weapons.Habibullah Raihan, media coordinator of the Tabligh Jamaat’s Zubair group, said the home ministry wrote to Maulana Zubair Ahmad on Tuesday saying the home affairs adviser would meet his faction and make a decision regarding the Bishwa Ijtema grounds.

“At about 3am, we received news that Muslims for the Saad faction from across the country were gathering at Masjid-E-Bilal on the west side of Tongi Ijtema grounds.

“They were armed with sharp weapons and entering the grounds from various directions, including the western bank of the Turag River and the Kamarpara Bridge. When Zubair supporters inside the grounds threw bricks, a chase and counter-chase ensued, leading to a clash when Saad supporters entered the grounds.”

On the other hand, Muaz Bin Noor, a senior leader in the Maulana Saad faction, claimed in a video message that his group was now in control of the Ijtema grounds.Violence between the followers of Maulana Saad and Zubair factions spread to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where some of the injured were brought to the emergency department for treatment.

Authority imposes restrictions

Following the deadly violence, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) imposed a ban on all forms of rallies, processions, demonstrations, and gatherings in a three-kilometer radius around the Ijtema grounds. The restricted areas include Kamarpur, Abdullahpur, Uttara Sector 10, and the southwestern banks of the Turag River near the capital.

According to a public notification issued by DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali, the restriction came into effect at 2pm on Wednesday and will remain in place until further notice.The ban has been enforced under Section 29 of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance to maintain discipline in light of the prevailing situation.

Following the announcement, participants of the Ijtema began leaving the grounds.Security measures have been intensified at the venue, with four Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) platoons deployed.The situation remained tense as the government and law enforcement monitored developments to ensure order and safety.

Long march

Mufti Amanul Haq, a spokesperson of Tabligh Jamaat (Zubair faction), has threatened to start a long march to seize control of the Ijtema ground in Tongi if supporters of Muhammad Saad Kandhalvi do not vacate the site by Wednesday night.

Maulana Mamunul Haque, general secretary of Hefazat-e-Islam, also called for a tough stance against the actions of Maulana Saad’s followers.

Labeling them as a “terrorist group,” he demanded their banning. Haque made these remarks to the press after a meeting with Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Wednesday.Meanwhile, followers of Maulana Saad Kandhalvi on Wednesday expressed regret and announced their decision to vacate the venue.

The announcement came from Reza Arif, representative of the Maulana Saad faction of the Tabligh Jamaat, after a meeting with five advisers of the interim government at the Ministry of Home Affairs.He said that after leaving the ground, the government would take over it.

Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim expressed deep concern over the violence and casualties resulting from the clashes.

He highlighted the incidents at both the Ijtema grounds and Kakrail Markaz Mosque, offering prayers for the souls of the deceased.

Calling for justice, Mufti Faizul Karim urged the authorities to identify and bring those responsible for inciting the violence and directly participating in the attacks under the law.

He also demanded compensation for the families of the deceased and proper medical care for the injured.

Historical context

Following the incident, there has been growing curiosity about the reasons behind the ongoing conflict between the two factions of the Tabligh Jamaat.

Sources indicate that the Tabligh Jamaat was founded in 1924 by Maulana Ilyas Kandhalvi of India. Over time, the activities of Tabligh spread beyond India to Bangladesh, Pakistan, and various other countries.

Since the 1960s, followers of the Tabligh Jamaat have gathered every year at the Turag River in Tongi for the World Ijtema, following a specific set of guidelines.

Until 2010, the Ijtema was held in one phase, but due to an increasing number of participants, it was divided into two phases from 2011 onwards.

Followers of Tabligh from around the world, including Bangladesh, participated in both phases, with top scholars from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh delivering sermons. Among the speakers was Maulana Saad, the great-grandson of Maulana Ilyas Kandhalvi, the founder of Tabligh Jamaat.

However, some of Maulana Saad’s statements during the Ijtema and other Tabligh gatherings have raised objections. These objections were identified by the Fatwa Department of one of India’s leading Islamic institutions, Darul Uloom Deoband.

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