Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Dhaka: A prominent Islamic cleric in Bangladesh has appealed to the two rival factions of Tabligh Jamaat to settle their differences and reunite before the upcoming Bishwa Ijtema, one of the largest annual Muslim gatherings in the world.
Moulana Karim ibn Mosobbir, a former central leader of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, made the appeal in a statement, calling on the senior leaders of both sides to set aside their grievances, meet each other and reach an immediate reconciliation.
Observing that differences of opinion among Islamic scholars can be a source of mercy, he said conflicts that lead to division and the formation of rival groups can never be regarded as a blessing. His remarks come against the backdrop of a rift within the movement that has left its followers split into two camps, a division that has weighed heavily on the religious community in Bangladesh.
Referring to past incidents of violence at the Ijtema grounds in Tongi, as well as inside mosques in different parts of the country, Moulana M A Karim said such episodes have damaged the image of the movement and caused deep distress among ordinary believers. The Ijtema, held on the banks of the Turag river in Tongi near the capital, draws vast crowds of devotees each year, and its organisation has long depended on a shared sense of purpose among those who run it.
The cleric reminded both factions of the core mission of Tabligh Jamaat, which he described as guiding people towards the path of Allah and encouraging them to reform their lives in accordance with Islamic teachings. A dispute among its leaders, he suggested, runs contrary to the spirit of a movement built on humility, invitation and personal reform.
“Before the upcoming Bishwa Ijtema, both sides should clear their hearts of all grievances, meet one another, resolve their differences and reunite,” he said, expressing hope that a reconciliation would be achieved.
Tabligh Jamaat is a global missionary movement with a significant following across South Asia, including India and Bangladesh. Developments in its Bangladeshi leadership are therefore watched closely by followers beyond the country’s borders, many of whom regard the Tongi gathering as a major event in the religious calendar.
Whether the senior leaders of the two sides will respond to the appeal remains to be seen. With the Ijtema approaching, religious scholars and community members are expected to increase pressure for dialogue, in the hope that the gathering can proceed peacefully and in an atmosphere of unity.
