MUSLIM COMMUNITIES IN NEPAL

This book is based on a report that was itself based on research undertaken during 2014 and 2015 in collaboration with the Nepal Madhesh Foundation (NEMAF) and funded by the US-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA). The report combined a review of the secondary data available in published and unpublished sources with the analysis of the findings of fieldwork undertaken by a NEMAF team during May-July 2015, in Kathmandu and in the districts of Banke and Dhanusha in the terai. The book now also contains additional material collected and/or analysed during 2015-2017.

Although the Muslim community as a whole constitutes one of the larger groups in Nepal (accounting for some 4- 5 per cent of the total population, and ranking ninth in the order of the largest groups), there has been relatively little effort to date to assess in a comprehensive fashion the distinctive economic, social and cultural traditions, beliefs and practices of this distinctive and disadvantaged community, or to identify the aspirations, needs and capabilities of its members, male and female, young and old. Despite the contribution made by earlier research, there is still relatively little in the way of up-to-date information and analysis easily available in one place about the Muslim communities of Nepal who together constitute a significant and distinctive minority. It is hoped that this book will remedy this situation.