Nepal is a multi-ethnic, multilingual and multi-religious country. The Muslim community also has an important place in this diversity. Although the constitution guarantees equal rights to all citizens, the Muslim community has been feeling backward in basic areas such as education, health, employment, business and security for decades.
Nepal’s democracy remains incomplete without ensuring the rights and identity of the Muslim community. The essence of democracy is to guarantee equal opportunities and a dignified life to all communities. But our Muslim community is still not getting adequate representation, equal opportunities and access to proper development.
Our aim is clear – to empower the Muslim community socially, economically and culturally. Through this article, I will discuss the primary issues of the Muslim community and possible ways to solve them.
Special priority in education
Education is the basis of every person’s life development. However, the status of education in the Muslim community is still weak. Many Muslim children do not go to school and even those who do, have limited education up to the primary level.
The main reason for this is poor economic conditions, lack of education awareness among parents and lack of access to educational institutions in villages. Although Madrasahs play an important role for religious education, the lack of modern education makes it difficult for the community to move forward on the path of overall development, so the state needs to think about it.
To solve this problem, the state should provide free education from school to university. A new curriculum should be created by connecting modern and professional education with the religious education of Madrasas. This will help Muslim children to become leaders in education and make their future bright.
The need for access to health care
is the main pillar of the human right to health. But the Muslim community, especially in rural areas, remains far away from health services. Lack of adequate health care for women and children has compounded the problem.
Special maternal health programs are needed to improve pregnancy and infant health. Women health workers should be mobilized to ensure access to health services for women of the Muslim community.
Moreover, to improve the quality of health services, health posts and hospitals should be established in rural areas. A public awareness program should be conducted to bring health insurance to every Muslim family.
The need for employment and reservation
Employment is the basis of livelihood. But the youth of the Muslim community are lagging behind in employment opportunities. There is a huge lack of presence of Muslim youth in government services, private sector and security agencies.
It is necessary to implement the reservation policy for the Muslim community on the basis of population. This policy should not be limited to employment, but should also include skill training, self-employment programs and subsidy schemes for entrepreneurship.
In addition, there is a need to conduct a separate program to encourage Muslim women for self-employment. The state should immediately put forward a special plan to improve their economic and overall situation.
Protection of language, religion and culture
Language and culture are the main basis of identity of any community. Without protecting the language (Urdu), religion and culture of the Muslim community, their identity cannot be saved. The Nepal government should establish a special fund for the study and research of Muslim culture. The traditional festivals and cultural activities of the Muslim community should be recognized at the national level.
In order to preserve the language, arrangements should be made to keep Urdu language curriculum as an optional subject in schools. This will help increase confidence within the community.
Preservation and enhancement of religious places
The mosques, shrines and other religious places of the Muslim community in Nepal are not only religious but cultural heritages. However, there is a lack of protection in these places.
The state should implement a long-term plan for the protection of these places. By organizing these religious places, they can be made centers of religious tourism.
The development of religious places will not only strengthen the religious and cultural spirit of the community, but will also provide opportunities for economic development.
National and international cooperation in education and awareness development
Lack of education and awareness in the Muslim community is a big challenge. In order to solve this problem, national and international organizations should be encouraged to conduct targeted programs in the Muslim community.
Special programs should be conducted to educate and empower women. Educated women contribute to improving the standard of living of families and communities. Moreover, the social transformation of the community can be helped by providing leadership development training to community leaders.
Reforming the curriculum of madrassas and reconstituting the madrassa board
The madrassas of Nepal have been making a significant contribution to religious education. However, due to the lack of diversity and uniformity in the curriculum, a problem has arisen.
The madrasa board should be reconstituted and balance between modern education and religious education should be maintained. The new generation can be empowered by including subjects like science, mathematics and technology in the madrasa curriculum.
Ensuring representation: Ensuring inclusive democracy and equal opportunities
All communities should have equal representation in Nepal’s democracy. However, there is a big decrease in the presence of the Muslim community in government services, administration and security agencies. Time has come for us to ensure representation of the Muslim community in all areas on the basis of population. It will help to develop leadership within the community.
The essence of inclusive democracy is the participation of all communities. Nepal cannot progress on the path of prosperity and equality until the Muslim community gets equal opportunities and rights.
There is a need for the state to make policy reforms prioritizing the issues of the Muslim community. We can build a strong democracy and a prosperous Nepal only by guaranteeing equal opportunities.
Conclusion
The Muslim community of Nepal has not been able to access the state facilities for decades. Due to economic incapacity, lack of education and employment and lack of political representation, this community is still backward. The Constitution of Nepal has guaranteed equal rights to all citizens. However, practically the Muslim community has not been able to fully enjoy these rights. This has created a deep sense of inequality within the community. To empower the community, ensure their economic, social and cultural rights and bring them into the mainstream of national development, solid policies, effective plans and dedicated activities are necessary.
For the overall upliftment of the Muslim community, it is necessary to give priority to education, health, employment, security, business and cultural protection. Steps like ensuring reservation, protection of religious places and improvement of madrassas will help the community to advance economically, socially and educationally.
The way to strengthen Nepal’s democracy is inclusive development. Without the equal participation of the Muslim community, the vision of the prosperity of the country remains incomplete. The reality of inclusive democracy emerges only when the Muslim community is given equal opportunities and respect in all aspects of national life.
The real upliftment of the Muslim community is possible only if the government, civil society and the community themselves join hands. This is not only necessary for the progress of the Muslim community, but also for the progress of Nepal. Now it is time to move forward with this work. We all must be determined to build an inclusive, equal and prosperous Nepal together.