Dhaka, Jan 22 – The High Court yesterday felt ashamed over the grouping of Tablig Jamaat into the two factions for establishing control over the Ijtema Maidan on the bank of the Turag River in Tongi of Gazipur.“How you will convey the message of Islam if you would divide into the two factions. You will involve in internal feud for establishing supremacy and come before the court over the matter, which is shameful,” the HC bench comprising Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Khairul Alam came up with the observations during the hearing on a writ petition filed by a faction of Tablig Jamaat seeking its directive to observe Tablig Jamaat.
The HC also advised the two factions of Tablig Jamaat to create an amicable atmosphere among themselves and then it would hear the writ petition.
During the hearing Advocate Shah Md Nurul Amin, counsel for the petitioner, told the court that they were tried to end the existing conflict. If it will impossible to end the conflict, the two factions of Tablig Jamaat would observe the Ijtema separately in line with government’s directive.
Then, deputy attorney general Motahar Hossain Saju told the court that the home ministry would call an emergency meeting on January 23 (today) over the Tablig Jamaat issue.
A specific decision may come out of the meeting over the issue. Hence, the hearing should adjourn for some days, the state lawyer said. After that, the HC bench fixed January 27 for next hearing on the petition.
On January 21, Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Eunus Mollah filed a writ petition with the HC seeking its directive to observe the Ijtema on the bank of the Turag River in Tongi of Gazipur.
The government, on September 18, issued five directives to resolve Tabligh Jamaat’s internal disputes and ensure they carry out their activities in an organized manner.
Currently, Al Kandhalvi’s followers in Bangladesh are not allowed into Tabligh Jamaat Bangladesh chapter’s “Markaz” – headquarters– at the Kakrail Mosque in Dhaka.
The government decided to postpone Bishwa Ijtema due to the ongoing dispute between the factions during the 11th parliamentary election—which was held December 30.
Ijtema is being held every winter in Bangladesh, the next Ijtema was supposed to be held the second or third week of January.
Earlier on November 30 last year, at least one person was killed and over 200 people were injured in a series of clashes between two factions of Tablig Jamaat for establishing control over the Ijtema Maidan on the bank of the Turag River in Tongi of Gazipur. – Staff Reporter
