Nepali Muslims pray for tolerance during Ramadan

Ramadan, the month of fasting and prayer for Muslims began on 2nd August, called Roza in Nepal. 

Nazrul Hussein, President of the Islamic Federation of Nepal and the Secretary General of the Inter religious Council of the country, told that “the Muslims of the country have decided to offer prayers for minorities and for religious tolerance during our holy month.” “Nepal is changing to secularism and the religious transition is very important, even over the protests of those who demand the restoration of the Hindu monarchy, which we find unacceptable.” “Minority groups are expected to generate unity and religious tolerance, it is necessary to unify [the country]. So we decided to pray for minority rights and religious tolerance. ”

Damodar Sharma, a Hindu leader, says it is favourable to “pray for religious tolerance,” but denies that the Hindus of the country violate the religious rights of others. He insists that “the majority of the Nepalese population is Hindu, it is not wrong for the country to return to being a Hindu state”. “Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians are all equal and they were already under the Hindu monarchy.”

During Ramadan, the Muslim faithful cannot eat or drink during the day, but only at night. Ramadan recalls the revelation of Allah to Muhammad of being the last prophet of Islam. Fasting, as well as commemorating the event, aims to give more time to the faithful to pray.