Nepal’s Yadav in Qatar to ease tensions with Muslim community
by Kalpit Parajuli
The visit follows the murder of Nepal Muslim leader Faizan Ahmed. Economic agreements and the treatment of Nepal migrant workers in the emirate are among the trip’s goals.
Kathmandu (AsiaNews) – Nepali President Ram Barab Yadav is visiting Qatar six years after the fall of the country’s Hindu monarchy. He is the first Nepali president to be on an official visit to the emirate since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1977. The purpose of the trip, which ends on Thursday, is to reach new agreements on tourism, improve conditions for thousands of Nepali migrants working in Qatar, and ease tensions with Nepal’s Muslim community.
According to some observers, the president will meet some Muslim leaders in order to send positive signals to Nepali Muslims who are still reeling over the death of Faizan Ahmed, the general secretary of the Islami Sangh Nepal (Nepali Islamic Federation), shot to death by unknown gunmen as he left a mosque.
Since his election, Muslims have accused the president of being too cosy with the Hindu majority, which is already receiving state funds and special treatment.
Despite the separation of state and religion and the recognition of religious freedom by the state, President Yadav has never concealed his faith. In fact, on several occasions he has made official visits to the country’s Hindu temples.
Recently, Islami Sangh Nepal slammed the police for failing to do its duty. Instead of focusing on Hindu extremists, the latter has set out to investigate the federation’s members, not as victims but as possible instigators and authors of the murder. Police have not hinted at a possible role by radical Hindu parties in the crime even though they have been involved in anti-Muslim attacks since 2008.
A few days ago, Nepal’s main Muslim organisations announced a protest rally for Friday. Some leaders have even threatened violent action if the government does not improve the investigation currently underway and provide the victim’s family with compensation.
According to some observers, the president will meet some Muslim leaders in order to send positive signals to Nepali Muslims who are still reeling over the death of Faizan Ahmed, the general secretary of the Islami Sangh Nepal (Nepali Islamic Federation), shot to death by unknown gunmen as he left a mosque.
Since his election, Muslims have accused the president of being too cosy with the Hindu majority, which is already receiving state funds and special treatment.
Despite the separation of state and religion and the recognition of religious freedom by the state, President Yadav has never concealed his faith. In fact, on several occasions he has made official visits to the country’s Hindu temples.
Recently, Islami Sangh Nepal slammed the police for failing to do its duty. Instead of focusing on Hindu extremists, the latter has set out to investigate the federation’s members, not as victims but as possible instigators and authors of the murder. Police have not hinted at a possible role by radical Hindu parties in the crime even though they have been involved in anti-Muslim attacks since 2008.
A few days ago, Nepal’s main Muslim organisations announced a protest rally for Friday. Some leaders have even threatened violent action if the government does not improve the investigation currently underway and provide the victim’s family with compensation.
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