The Biswa Ijtema-2026 will be held after the national election scheduled for February, Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain said on Sunday.

The decision was made at a meeting at the Secretariat with representatives of the Shura-e-Nizam followers and Saad followers

The government has taken this decision to maintain law and order ahead of the election and to avoid any potential risks,” Dr Khalid Hossain told reporters after the meeting. 

If the election is held in the second half of February, he said, the two groups will hold the Ijtema separately after Ramadan.

The Religious Affairs Adviser briefed journalists following the meeting, which was also attended by Security Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Industries and Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, and Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Nasimul Ghani.

He said the exact dates of the Ijtema would be finalised through discussions with both groups.

Earlier, Dr Khalid Hossain said discussions had been held with the two factions to ensure that no untoward incidents occur centring the Tongi World Ijtema in the future.

He said an initiative had been taken to form a committee to ensure the smooth and peaceful organisation of the Ijtema. The committee is working to resolve all issues between the two groups, he said.