Kathmandu (AsiaNews) – Nepal is not yet a secular state, change seems difficult and Muslims are still discriminated in daily life and the public sector, this according to Nazrul Husein, secretary general of the Islamic Federation of Nepal and joint secretary of the Inter-religious Council of Nepal, who spoke to AsiaNews about the problems Nepali Muslims face and their readiness to fight for change.
Nazrul spoke last Saturday, the day after the important Muslim festivity of Id-Ul-Fitre (or Eid ul-Fitr, which celebrates the start of the last days of the holy month of Ramadan), and points out how Muslim festivities are not recognised in the country.
Secular rule has “not brought changes for Muslims. The only change is that the king was working for Hinduism and now the prime minister has replaced him.”
He said that Islam has its own body of laws, but the government and the courts do not recognise it: for example, Talak or divorce from one’s wife
“We are ready to pay anything for our rights,” he said. “The government should provide proportional space in every sector of bureaucracy” and fight anti-Muslim prejudice.
Mr Nazrul’s criticism includes the Maoists who “claim to represent minorities and backward people but have not yet spoken for Islam.”
He warned that the National Muslim Forum Nepal, a Muslim fundamentalist group, has launched a nationwide struggle for Muslim rights.
Commenting on the Nepali politics he said that “Nepal’s future is really dark if all political parties do not rise above their personal and party interests.”
Meanwhile the great Hindu festival of Dashain began on Friday lasting ten days. The first day is called “Ghatasthapana” and is celebrated throughout the country.
