Muslims in Nepal Demand Recognition as a Distinct Minority Group

The Muslim community in nepal has demanded that they be recognised as a separate minority group — not conflated under the rubric of the ethnic group Madhesis.

The Muslims threatened to take to the streets if they are not given separate status and the government continues to ignore problems faced by the community.

Muslim leaders, speaking at a programme organised by the Nepal Muslim Ittehad Organisation, said the government needs to take measures to boost participation of the community in all sectors of the country.

The National Muslim Ittehad Organistaion warned of protests if the government continues to classify followers of Islam as ethnic Madhesis.

The organisation said it has already submitted a memorandum to the government.

Also speaking at the programme, UML leader Mahamud Aalam said that the community would not remain silent until the governmental ensured propositional representation of Muslims in each and every sector of the state.

He accused the government of failing to recognise 4 million Muslims, saying there was no alternative to protests to air their grievances. "The government's move to include Muslims in the Madhesi is a ploy to ignore the identity of Muslims," said Aalam.