Kathmandu, 19 November: The Nepal government has banned Ijtama, the annual religious gathering of Muslims. Citing religious sensitivity, Nepal’s Home Ministry has taken this decision.
The Nepal government has directed the tents set up for the Ijtma and the people who came from outside for it to vacate the place within 24 hours.
Preparations for the Ijtama were being held from November 21-23 in Duhabi and Itahari of Sunsari district located in the eastern part of Nepal. For this, tents were set up on 80 acres of land in which living and seating arrangements were made for about 50 thousand people.
Meanwhile, Muslims were invited for this Ijtama from many countries around the world. Such a big gathering of Muslims in Sunsari district, which is religiously sensitive, was not only likely to inflame religious sentiments in Nepal but it was also banned in view of security as it was connected to the Indian border.
Chief District Magistrate of Sunsari, Humkala Pandey, had written a letter to the Home Ministry regarding this religious event of Muslims, mentioning all these challenges and seeking opinion on it.
Considering the seriousness of the matter, the Home Ministry issued instructions to stop this program at any cost. District Magistrate Pandey said that following the instructions of the Home Ministry, written instructions have been issued to the organizers to stop the program.
Chief District Magistrate of Sunsari visited the venue along with security officials of the district on Saturday.
During this, he directed to immediately remove the tent set up for the Ijtma. Besides, the people who came from outside for the Ijtama have also been instructed to leave the district within 24 hours.
The district administration had received information that in the name of Ijtma, some fanatic Muslim religious leaders and Maulanas were coming, who have been banned by many countries including India from coming here.
