Christopher Sharma

The monitoring programme is scheduled to last three weeks. Nepalis will not be allowed to travel to African countries. Screening centres have been set up at the airport in Kathmandu and on the border with India and China. The government hopes to prevent an epidemic.

Dozens of Muslims gather in a Kathmandu mosque to express solidarity with Francis. One of the participants says, "We encourage Islamic leaders in Nepal to make their voices heard and join the pope's appeal. We pray for the Holy Father during his trip to Korea."

The government has halted the search for survivors. The most affected are the residents of three villages in the northern district of Sindhupalchowk. The area is inhabited mostly by Christians, but the identity of the victims has not yet been made public. The survivors blame government for failing to provide a relief plan: "We have had no food for six days."

During his official two-day visit to Kathmandu, the Indian Prime minister suggested to his interlocutors to enshrine the state's secularism. By contrast, Hindu priests expected India to back their demand for the "Hindu revival" of their nation.

The population denounce government's inaction and praise help from Church and NGOs. The authorities speak of "limited resources". 100 thousand displaced people, dozens of deaths and 10 thousand houses damaged.

The main mosque in the Nepalese capital calls on the leaders of other religions to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, the feast that ends the Muslim month of fasting. The new Apostolic Vicar, Msgr. Paul Simick also present. Prayers for peace between Israel and Palestine, in Ukraine and Iraq. An appeal also to the government to "protect religious minorities in Nepal".

The Tibetan Buddhist religious is one of the three main disciples of the Karmapa Lama, tasked with recognising of the Dalai Lama's reincarnation. The current Shamar, Mipham Chokyi Lodro, died two weeks ago and asked to be cremated in a monastery he founded near Kathmandu. Despite China's opposition, the government "is considering" that possibility. Thousands of people are expected at his funeral, some from Tibet as well.

Activists and public figures from various religions praise the commitment of Catholics and their institutions, especially to women and children. For former National Human Rights Commission president, priests "are a model for Nepali society."

Bishop Simick's induction ceremony took place yesterday in the presence of about a hundred priests, 3,000 lay people and the representatives of other religions. "I am very happy. I pledge to take care of the Church of Nepal as a true pastor, trying to follow the example of Saint Paul".

The Foreign Ministry asked for the help of Interreligious Council of Nepal (Icn), that comprises Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Christian leaders. Most of the Nepalis in Iraq entered illegally and have no passport neither travel-documents.

Social discrimination is widespread in the Hindu culture. The priests of few temples claim to have learned from the christians the tolerance to the lower castes. "Christians have taught us well to practice equality. This helps to create harmony and solidarity among the people".

Joseph Marandi and his wife Laulam Chrosia run the Immanuel Church near ​​Sorabhag, where they provide free education and medical care to poor children. The authorities moved against them on a report by an unspecified child advocacy NGO. Speaking to AsiaNews, the couple tried to clear their name saying that the accusations are false. For them, "it is a case of persecution."