Muslims in Nepal: The Local and Global Dimensions of a Changing Religious Minority

Abstract

The study of South Asian Islam has expanded in recent decades to include communities and traditions on the margins of the political, cultural and religious centers of South Asia. However, only a small body of scholarship yet exists on the topic of Islam and Muslims in Nepal. In this Hindu majority country, the Muslim population is one of diversity and growing national visibility, and it is increasingly looking toward the global umma. This essay provides an overview of the history of Islam in Nepal and Nepal's Muslim population, followed by a brief review of recent changes in Nepal's religious and political identity that have created unprecedented opportunities and responsibilities for its minorities, including Muslims. It then reviews the main areas of inquiry undertaken by the few studies on Muslims in Nepal, particularly Muslim identity, Hindu-Muslim conflict, and Islamic revivalism. This is followed by a discussion of contemporary Muslim organizations in Nepal. The essay concludes with thoughts on directions for future research in this rich, but underexplored, area.

Nutritional status and its associated factors among under five years Muslim children of Kapilvastu district, Nepal

“…Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Kapilvastu and Banke are the five districts which have highest number of Muslim populations [ 29 ]. The Muslim populations in Nepal was given a lower marginal status in the legal code, and they were shunned, discriminated against, and attacked violently [ 30 ]. Muslims, as a vulnerable demographic group, demanded social justice and the establishment of a Muslim branch of the National Inclusion Commission [ 31 ].…”

Physical Barriers and Attitudes towards Accessing Healthcare in a Rural Muslim Population in Nepal

“…Volunteers who could speak English, Nepali and Awadhi (the most common language spoken by terai Muslims), had knowledge of the local area, and were deemed credible by LSSF were chosen to administer the questionnaire. [1] The questionnaire was administered specifically after the end of the monsoon season, towards the end of August and the beginning of September to match the period of rest after seasonal planting. Participation in this study was entirely voluntary, and consent was obtained orally after introduction.…”

“…Nepal was a Hindu kingdom from its founding in the 7th century until the creation of a secular democratic republic in 2006. [1] During this time, the Muslim population was assigned a lower marginal status in the Nepali legal code and was ostracized, discriminated against, and targeted by violent attacks. [1,2] In 2015 the new Nepali Constitution recognized Muslims as an atrisk demographic group, stipulated their right to social justice, and mandated the creation of a Muslim branch of the National Inclusion Commission.…”

“…[4,5] The majority of Muslims live in the terai (the southern plains of Nepal), where they make up 10% of the population. [1] Address for Correspondence H.C. Ashworth School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. Email: henry.ashworth@ucdconnect.ie Terai Muslims mostly migrated from India and are more likely to be ajlaf Muslims, which hold a lower status within South Asian Muslim hierarchical structure.…”

“…[6] Furthermore, the terai Muslims are tied to lower income industries like agriculture and traditional craft making. [1,6] In the context of Nepal, these factors make Muslims in the rural terai vulnerable to discrimination on religious and economic bases and are at higher risk for marginalization.…”