Identity Crisis of Muslims: “ A Religious Minority in Nepal” By: H. M. Zahid Parwez (Researcher, CERID, TU)

2 1. Context: The Muslim population comprises 7% of the total population of the country and of them 97% inhabitant of Madhesh 20 districts. The Muslim population comprises 7% of the total population of the country and of them 97% inhabitant of Madhesh 20 districts. Muslim community is a religious minority in terms of number and domination both. Muslim community is a religious minority in terms of number and domination both. The Muslim community in Nepal loosing their sense of belongingness and identity due to continuous discriminatory policies of the state. The Muslim community in Nepal loosing their sense of belongingness and identity due to continuous discriminatory policies of the state.

3  The Muslim people are forced to be Sanskritized by the majoritorian groups in remote places, where they are a handful in number.  The identity of Muslim community in Nepal is challenged today even in a secular Nepal.

4 2. Sources of Discrimination: Legal: The National Code of Conduct (1854) declared Nepal “A real living place for Hindus” based on “empire model” which worked up to the The National Code of Conduct (1854) declared Nepal “A real living place for Hindus” based on “empire model” which worked up to the The constitution of 1962 declared Nepal as a Hindu state and emphasized on Nationalistic Model which did not consider Muslims as the citizen of Nepal as the rules and laws of the nation based on Hinduism and Pahadi high caste dominaton. The constitution of 1962 declared Nepal as a Hindu state and emphasized on Nationalistic Model which did not consider Muslims as the citizen of Nepal as the rules and laws of the nation based on Hinduism and Pahadi high caste dominaton.

5 Socio-Cultural: The so called democratic constitution of 1990 did not response the problems of Muslim community and declared Nepal a Hindu monarchial kingdom. The so called democratic constitution of 1990 did not response the problems of Muslim community and declared Nepal a Hindu monarchial kingdom. The present secular constitution which is based on equity and equality of all citizens does not address the problems of Muslims embedded in the prevailing social structure and in the minds of planners. The present secular constitution which is based on equity and equality of all citizens does not address the problems of Muslims embedded in the prevailing social structure and in the minds of planners. The Interim Constitution did not dare to formulate a Muslim Commission like others. The Interim Constitution did not dare to formulate a Muslim Commission like others.

6 Political: The after effects of historical discrimination of constitution, laws of the nation and social behaviors of dominant class and Caste Muslim community is remain at the margin of development in terms of social, economic, political, educational and administration. The after effects of historical discrimination of constitution, laws of the nation and social behaviors of dominant class and Caste Muslim community is remain at the margin of development in terms of social, economic, political, educational and administration.

7 3. Major Issues: Identity Crisis of Muslims: The variation in cultural practices and social behaviors of Muslims in different geographical region is reflected with the Hinduism and assimilated cultural forms. The variation in cultural practices and social behaviors of Muslims in different geographical region is reflected with the Hinduism and assimilated cultural forms. The difference is based on their “Politics of Preservation” in majoritarian society. The difference is based on their “Politics of Preservation” in majoritarian society. The basic identity is based on religious faith, ritual performance and basic Islamic code of conducts which are the determinants of Muslim identity as a whole. The basic identity is based on religious faith, ritual performance and basic Islamic code of conducts which are the determinants of Muslim identity as a whole.

8 Social: The influence of Muluki Ain, 1854 considering Muslim as Malechha remains in practice uptill now. The influence of Muluki Ain, 1854 considering Muslim as Malechha remains in practice uptill now.Economic: The economic status of the Muslim is lowest one. The Human poverty Index of Muslim is against the National poverty index of The economic status of the Muslim is lowest one. The Human poverty Index of Muslim is against the National poverty index of In HDI Muslim is also one of the poorest group as national HDI is where as Muslim is only In HDI Muslim is also one of the poorest group as national HDI is where as Muslim is only The Per capita income of National level is where as Muslim per capita income is The Per capita income of National level is where as Muslim per capita income is

9 Education: The educational status of Muslim lagging far behind national literacy rate which is 53.7% where as Muslim’s rate is 34.72%. The educational status of Muslim lagging far behind national literacy rate which is 53.7% where as Muslim’s rate is 34.72%. Most of the literate people are literate from non formal Madrasa (Islamic educational institution) which are unrecognized by the state. Most of the literate people are literate from non formal Madrasa (Islamic educational institution) which are unrecognized by the state. There are a large number of Madrasas have been running since long in Nepal, but these were untouched by the NGOs/INGOs. There are a large number of Madrasas have been running since long in Nepal, but these were untouched by the NGOs/INGOs. A large majority of Muslim children were enrolled in Madrasas i.e. 42%, only 18% in mainstream schools and rest 40% were out of schooling of any types. (Parwez, 2006) A large majority of Muslim children were enrolled in Madrasas i.e. 42%, only 18% in mainstream schools and rest 40% were out of schooling of any types. (Parwez, 2006)

10 Political: Interim Constitution is based on inclusive democracy and proportional representation in every wing of the state, but the Muslim community still has been victim of discrimination. Interim Constitution is based on inclusive democracy and proportional representation in every wing of the state, but the Muslim community still has been victim of discrimination. The government of Nepal has been formulating a number of programs for deprived and disadvantaged people but the Muslim community is still untouched. The government of Nepal has been formulating a number of programs for deprived and disadvantaged people but the Muslim community is still untouched.

11 Role of NGOs/INGOs: There are a large number of NGO/INGO for the support of those people residing in the lowest rung of the social structure. There are a large number of NGO/INGO for the support of those people residing in the lowest rung of the social structure. The NGO/INGO devoted to enable deprived people to emerge from their destitute situation and live a human life. The NGO/INGO devoted to enable deprived people to emerge from their destitute situation and live a human life. The NGO/INGO initiated their programs on their own agenda without assessing the needs and observing the social dynamism and context. The NGO/INGO initiated their programs on their own agenda without assessing the needs and observing the social dynamism and context.

12 It is observed that the deprived people are unable to achieve required empowerment from NGOs/INGOs in terms of enabling capacity. It is observed that the deprived people are unable to achieve required empowerment from NGOs/INGOs in terms of enabling capacity. The NGO/INGO seems totally failure in helping to unleash their critical perspectives of the reality where they live and invision what might be enabling initiative which are ignored by NGOs/INGOs programs. The NGO/INGO seems totally failure in helping to unleash their critical perspectives of the reality where they live and invision what might be enabling initiative which are ignored by NGOs/INGOs programs. The NGOs/INGOs are totally relactant to attract Madhesi people, including Muslims in the field of empowerment and awareness raising activities to lead a dignified human life and exercise human rights. The NGOs/INGOs are totally relactant to attract Madhesi people, including Muslims in the field of empowerment and awareness raising activities to lead a dignified human life and exercise human rights.

13 4. Recommendations: NGOs/INGOs: NGOs/INGOs should mobilize Muslim population from grass root level to be active to exercise their basic human right. NGOs/INGOs should mobilize Muslim population from grass root level to be active to exercise their basic human right. NGOs/INGOs should develop long term, medium term and short term strategies to create critical perspectives of prevailing reality in present social context. NGOs/INGOs should develop long term, medium term and short term strategies to create critical perspectives of prevailing reality in present social context. NGOs/INGOs should implement a targeted development program for Muslims encompassing their cultural norms and values. NGOs/INGOs should implement a targeted development program for Muslims encompassing their cultural norms and values. NGOINGOs should play a critical role in creating belongingness of the Muslim community to the nation and state building. NGOINGOs should play a critical role in creating belongingness of the Muslim community to the nation and state building.

14 Government: Government with support of donor agencies should launch a targeted programs mandatory inclusion of Muslim community in all development activities. Government with support of donor agencies should launch a targeted programs mandatory inclusion of Muslim community in all development activities. State enhance participation of Muslim community in political process including Constitution and other public spaces. State enhance participation of Muslim community in political process including Constitution and other public spaces. Government should create a Muslim Commission for a holistic development of the community. Government should create a Muslim Commission for a holistic development of the community. The new constitution being drafted by the CA needs to make provisions to ensure the rights of Muslim community. The new constitution being drafted by the CA needs to make provisions to ensure the rights of Muslim community.

15 Appropriate policies should be developed to promote cultural, social, economic and political development of the Muslim community. Appropriate policies should be developed to promote cultural, social, economic and political development of the Muslim community. Specific policies and programs for holistic development of Muslim women need to be developed and implemented. Specific policies and programs for holistic development of Muslim women need to be developed and implemented.

16 Thank You.