Reaserch on Islam

7/29/2019 Reaserch on Islam

1/14

A FIELD WORK

REPORT ON:MUSLIMS OF

KATHMANDU

Year: 2069

Name: Riddhima Sharma

Class : 12E

Roll no :

Registration no.:


2/14

Acknowledgement

First of all Id like to thank our Sociology teacher Mr.Raju KC very much for

providing an opportunities us to research on the ethnic groups of Nepal. We got a

chance to know a lot about these faces of Nepal. Our prospective about thesegroups have been changed a lot about the religious groups. We learned a lot also.

I would also like to thank my family members to allow me to go for field work.

Special thanks to The American Library for allowing us to do research work there.

Hope that you enjoy it as much we enjoyed doing it. And also hope that it is a good

source of knowledge and findings.

If for any mistakes we would like to ask apologies and request to give remarks at lastso that if any mistakes are done then we wouldnt repeat.

Thank you


3/14

Topic Page no

Introduction

Statement of the Problem

Objectives

Limitation

Literature review

Significance of the study

Research Method

List of Tables

Finding and Data Analysis

Summary and Conclusion

Appendix

Photo gallery


4/14

INTRODUCTION

ORIGIN

Muslims have lived Nepal for long period of time and have shared common historical experiences

with the Hindu majority, and as such have developed a stronger identification with the Nepali state.

However, the Terai Muslims, on the other hand, like other Terai communities, also continue to have

strong ties -across the border and receive cultural sustenance from the larger Muslim population ofUttar Pradesh and Bihar.

HistoryThe history of the Muslim community in Nepal is in fact the history of four distinctgroupings, the Tibetans, Kashmiris, the Chaurate and the Madhesi

The Madhesi MuslimsWhile the smaller groups provide diversity, the largest community of Islamadherents, more than 97 percentof the Muslims are found in the Terai region, a narrow plain lying

between the lower hills of the Himalaya and the border with India. Concentrated in the Terai

districts of Banke, Kapilvastu, Rupandehi, Parsa, Bara and Rauthat, some of the Terai Muslimswere present here at the time of Nepals unification while others migrated from British India from

the 19th century onwards as wage labourers. While most are small-time proprietor farmers, a

substantial number still work as tenants and agricultural labourers. At home they do speak Urdu, butalso Awadhi, Bhojpuri and Maithili depending on whether they are of the Western or Central or

Eastern.

The Muslim society in the Terai region is organized along the principles of caste, but differs inmany respects from the caste system found among the Madhesi Hindus. Although Muslim

groupings are endogamous, and there are elements of hierarchy, there are no religious and

ideological principles providing a foundation for the concept of caste. For example, there is noquestion of ritual pollution by touch or restriction on interdining. But each grouping does maintain a

separate and distinct identity, especially with regard to intermarriage. Below is a brief description of

the larger groupings.

The KashmirisAccording to the Vamshavalis, Kashmiri Muslims arrived in Kathmandu during the

reign of King Rama Malla (1484-1520 AD). They built a mosque, the Kashmiri Takia, and engagedin different occupations such as scribes to correspond with the Delhi Sultanate, and as scent

manufacturers, musicians and bangle suppliers. Some were admitted as courtiers to the Malla

durbar, and many traded with Tibet. The descendants of these migrants live in Kathmandu,

numbering about two thousand. They tend to be well-educated and speak a mixture of Nepali andUrdu at home rather than Kashmiri. Many Kashmiri Muslims of Kathmandu are also fluent in

Newari. While many work as petty businessmen, some have joined government service or entered

politics.

Then there are the Kashmiri merchants who first arrived in the 1970s to set up curio shops in

Kathmandus tourist quarters. There has been a spurt in arrivals from Srinagar since the politicalturmoil in Jammu and Kashmir escalated in 1990. Many shopkeepers arrived with their stocks of

handicrafts, rugs and furs. These recent arrivals have little or no interaction with the older Muslim

residents, and most do not even know that there is an old Kashmiri Muslim stock in Kathmandu.


5/14

The ChaurateAnother group of Muslims to settle in Nepal came from different parts of northern

India during the 16th and 17th centuries, invited by hill rulers to manufacture military armament(including canons). They remained in the hills as makers of agricultural implements, utensils and

ornaments. Though the descendants of these migrants are known as the Churaute, or bangle-sellers,

a majority survive as farmers. There is a fair sprinkling of these hill Muslims in Nepals central and

western districts of Gorkha, Tanahu, Kaski, Syangja, Palpa, Arga-khanchi, Pyuthan and Dailekh.

The Churaute hill Muslims have been greatly influenced by the Hindu hill milieu. Although they

follow Islamic customs such as circumcision of and ritual burial of the dead, but other Islamicpractises like nihth (bride price) and zakat (charity collected during religious festivals) are

unequally observed. The Churaute speak Nepali and in their dress, food habits and some customs

the Churaute are indistinguishable from their Bahun and Chhetri neighbors.

Tibetan MuslimsMuslim migrants of Tibetan origin include both Ladakhis and those from Tibetproper. The latter arrived mostly after the Chinese takeover in 1959, and in their language and dress

these Tibetan Muslims are indistinguishable from their Tibetan Buddhist counterparts. Today, many

are engaged in the trade of Chinese consumer durables and selling curios. On the whole, this groups

tends to be more affluent than the other Muslim communities.

The story of the Tibetan Muslims is that of a unique community, that has blended different culturalstrains to forge a distinct identity, that has been kept alive even in the face of adversity. Accordingto the community,s traditions, Islam arrived almost a thousand years ago in Tibet, a region that has

always been synonymous with a monolithic Buddhist culture. Sometime in the 12th century, it is

believed, a group of Muslim traders from Kashmir and Ladakh came to Tibet as merchants. Manyof these traders settled in Tibet and married Tibetan women, who later converted to the religion of

their husbands. Author Thomas Arnold, in his book, The Preaching of Islam says that gradually,

marriages and social interactions led to an increase in the Tibetan Muslim population until a sizable

community came up around Lhasa, Tibets capital.

The Muslim society in the Terai region is organized along the principles of caste, but differs in

many respects from the caste system found among the Madhesi Hindus. Although Muslimgroupings are endogamous, and there are elements of hierarchy, there is no religious and ideological

principles providing foundation for the concept of caste. For example, there is no question of ritual

pollution by touch or restriction on interdinning. But each grouping does maintain a separate anddistinct identity, especially with regards intermarriage. Below is a brief description of the larger

groupings:

RELIGIOUS PRATICES

'Islam People' are commonly known as Muslims. Some religious practices that Muslims (in Islam)

have are:

1. Belief in One God - (Arabic: Allah) , that He has no partners, children and is Unique and beyond

mortal limitations or perception.

2. Belief that Muhammad is the last and final Messenger/Prophet of Allah.

3. Belief in all the Prophets of Allah (Moses, Jesus, Abraham, David etc )


6/14

4. Muslims pray 5 times a day at designated times known as Salaat - which involves steps such as

Prostrating to God (Allah)

5. Muslims fast 30 days a year (one month) from dawn until dusk - during the month of Ramadhan,

during which they abstain from eating, drinking, sex as well as making an effort to stay away fromvices such as lying, backbiting and other vices.

6. Earning Muslims, or those who have excess wealth beyond a stipulated amount are supposed to

pay Zakat i.e. Compulsory Charity once a year to the less fortunate. It is a small percentage of theoverall wealth. And is a fundamental of Islam.

7. Able Muslims (physically, financially, mentally) are required to perform a pilgrimage to Mecca

i.e. Hajj once in a lifetime to take part in communal worship.

8. Muslims are not supposed to lie, cheat, drink alcohol, gamble, eat pork, have extra-marital/pre-

marital sex, be rude, etc.

9. The Muslim Faith i.e. Islam lays significant importance on Character and Ethics; enjoining good

nieghborliness, respect for women and elders, helping the less fortunate, doing 'good deeds' charity,

even taking care of animals.

10. Islam has extensive rules/laws/guidelines on how to live life as a good Muslim includingvarious aspects such as dealing with Finances, Politics, Family, Nieghbors, Women, Spouses,

Relatives, Strangers, Non-Muslims, War, Crime, Food, Sex, Animals, Ecology, etc.

POPULATION

Nepali Muslims, while they are mainly Sunni, constitute a heterogeneous group. Their ancestors

arrived in Nepal from different parts of South Asia and Tibet during different epochs, and have

since lived amidst the numerically dominant Hindus. About 97% of the Muslim community live inthe Terai region, while the other 3% are found mainly in the city of Kathmandu and the western

hills. The community numbers 971,056, about 4.2% of the total population of Nepal. Districts with

large Muslim population include Rautahat (17.2%), Bara (11.9%), and Parsa (17.3%) in the centralTerai bordering the state of Bihar, Kapilbastu (16.8%) and Banke (16%) in the western Terai and

Sirahi (7%) and Sansari (10%) in eastern Terai

Community Traditional Occupation Distribution

Sayyid - None throughout the Terai region

Shaikh None throughout the Terai regionPathan mainly landowners and cultivators throughout the Terai

Thakurai mainly landowners and cultivators Parsa and Bara districts

Ansari traditionally weavers, most are cultivators, business man throughout the

TeraiChikwa butchers Mid-west Terai

Faqir traditionally mendicants throughout the Terai


7/14

Jat landowners and cultivators Mid-west Terai

Kabaria traditionally fruit and vegetable sellers Mid-west and CentraL TeraiGaddi traditionally cattle herders, most now cultivators Mid-west Terai

Hajjam barbers throughout the Terai

Patihar selling threads, needles and ribbons throughout the Terai

Kawasi selling threads, needles as well as fruits and vegetables throughout the TeraiChurihar bangle makers and sellers Central Terai

Teli traditionally oil manufacturers, some are cultivators, and are petty traders Central Terai

Dhuniya traditionally cotton carders, most are now cultivators Central TeraiDarzi tailors and thread manufacturers Central Terrai

Kasgar traditionally potters Central TerraI

Halwai traditionally sweet makers, most are petty traders and landowners throughout the TeraiRangrez traditionally cloth dyers and calico printers throughout the Terai

Dhobi traditionally washermen throughout the Terai

Dharkar weavers and manufacturers of cane chairs throughout the Terai

Natuwa labourers throughout the TeraiNat traditionally tumblers and acrobats throughout the Terai

Halalkhor scavengers and labourers throughout the Terai

Statement Of The Problem

The Muslims who migrated to Kathmandu for better life and economic development. But lack of

education , awareness is causing hardship for them .

The official authority should take care of these group and provide a way for betterment.

ObjectivesOur primary objectives are:

To know about the economic status of Muslim people. To know about the social life of Muslim people. To know about the cultural life of Muslim people

Limitation of the studyWe had limitation of Muslim people who liked to open up to us. As most people were scared to

open up thinking that we were journalist and we were there to make fun of them.In the total time of

about one month we made the report ready as we started it in our winter holidays. There was also

the limitation on budget. The printing of the paper and photos also was expensive but the amount

was less. Therefore we had a very strict budget for completing of our research and so we were in

pressure to do the works on time


8/14

Literature review

The history dates back to Nepal Sambat 470 when Sultan Shamsuddin attacked over Nepal

Mandala. He destroyed Pimbahal of Lalitpur, set Bhaktapur on fire, broke Pashupati into three

pieces and changed Swyambhu into hell. In the process the Muslims entered in Newar villages. TheMalla king gave them a small area of land for Muslims. Thus they continued their culture and

religion and set up to form a new type of group known as Newar Islam (Tamot Nepal Sambat 470)

Islam is a minority religion in Nepal. According to the 2010 Nepal census, 4.40% of the population

are Muslim.

Islam is thought to have been introduced by Indian Muslims settling in Nepal

"Righteous is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day and the Angels and the Scriptures and the

Prophets."

-- Qur'an 2:177 .

Significance of the study

I have selected this particular Religious group Muslims in order to root out social and economic

activities of these people. As they are one of the backward community of Nepal. It is my keen

interest to do research on one of the outlasted Religious group of Nepal.


9/14

RESEARCH METHOD

Type of method appliedField work method.

Selection areaI collected the Data by visiting the different work station of the Muslim people. My universe mainly was

Basundhara , Maharajjung and Chakrapath area.

Types of data

Primary data

I collected the data through fieldwork. I went to the universe and individually scheduled interview with the

people. I had a set of question to be asked to them.

Secondary data

I collected the secondary data from few books, newspaper articles and through the help of internet.

Tools and Techniquion of the data collection

(I) Interview Schedule

I scheduled a time for interviewing them and had a list of question prepared . I visited the universe and

individually questioned and interviewed them.

(II) Observation method

When I went to the universe I Observed keenly about the interviewee and their living style, body language

and status.


10/14

List of Tables

Table of marriage type

Type polygamy monogamyNumber 6 11

Total number 17 17

Percent 30 70

Table of family type

Type Number percentage

Nuclear 5 29.42

Joint /extended family 12 70.58

Table of source of income / occupation


Business/shop 10 58.8

Laborers 7 41.2

Table of education qualification


Intermediate 2 11.76

No education 15 88.23


11/14

Finding Data and Analysis

Social status

FAMILY:

The family type of the migrated Muslims are mostly extended family. Despite of no blood relation , they

live together sharing same kitchen. I found that 29.42% have nuclear family where as other 70.58% have

joint or extended family.

MARRIAGE:

The Muslims generally allow polygamy system . My report showed that 70% of Muslims male married once

but 30% married twice or even more. As some of them have their first wife back in their village and they

have been alone in Kathmandu for many years they re-married. Muslims also allow the marriage between

step sister and brother unless they are breast fed by same mother.

Cultural and Religious life

RELIGION

All of the Muslim I interviewed believed in One god, and Muhammad is the last and final

Messenger/Prophet of Allah. they pray 5 times a day at designated times known as Salaat They fast

30 days a year (one month) from dawn until dusk - during the month of Ramadhan, during which

they abstain from eating, drinking, sex as well as making an effort to stay away from vices such aslying, backbiting and other vices.

CULTURE

FOOD HABIT

The main food of Muslims are mainly Roti, Kebab. Biryani, Rice etc. the meat they eat must be

Hallaled . hallal is the method of sacrificing animal before allah. They believe that the fish are

already hallaled by Allah so it dosent need to be hallaled.

CLOTHING

The male Muslims in Kathmandu normally wear shirt and pant but on the day of going to Mosque every

Friday they wear Kurtha Pajama. The Female in Kathmandu do not wear Burqa but when they go to their

village they need to cover their face with Burqa.

Restriction

Muslims totally deny Pork. They believe that Pigs have multiple sexual partner therefore they

consider it very impure. They dont touch it at all.


12/14

Education and Employment:As I found that only 11.46% of Muslims are educated therefore the remaining are forced to do less earning

job such as laborers due to unemployment. 58.8% of them did have their own business which included

Barber shop, Meat shop, Tailoring shop, cosmetics Shop , restaurants etc . the rest were employed as

laborers in construction company, helping in Blacksmithing and low grade job.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

In Nepal Muslims are one of the deprived and marginalized group. Their social structure holds

family and marriage. Family is importantly primary group which has the typical patriarchal

structure and prefer staying in extended family.

Muslims are god following people. They follow their religious practices strictly. They are most

disciplined people in the matter of religion.

They are mainly involved in low quality job due to low education qualification. It is pleasant to

find out that Muslims are getting involved in business. It has helped them to improved teir life

status and quality.

BIBLOGRAPHY

References1. Government of Nepal. Central Bureau of Statistics., Nepal in figures 2006,Kathmandu.,

http://www.cbs.gov.np/Nepal%20in%20figure/Nepal%20in%20Figures%202006.pdf

2. Understanding Nepal : Muslims in a plural society by Mollica Dastider

3.http://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/3033-How-the-cresent-fares-in-Nepal.html

4. Understanding Nepal : Muslims in a plural society by Mollica Dastider

5. Caste Hierarchy and Interethnic Stratification in the Muslim Society of Nepal byShanker Thapa, Tribhuvan University Journal Volume XVIII, June 19956.http://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/3033-How-the-cresent-fares-in-Nepal.html

7. Muslims in the Hindu Kingdom of Nepal / Marc Gaborieau in Muslim communities ofSouth Asia : culture, society, and power / edited by T.N. Madan
http://www.cbs.gov.np/Nepal%20in%20figure/Nepal%20in%20Figures%202006.pdfhttp://www.cbs.gov.np/Nepal%20in%20figure/Nepal%20in%20Figures%202006.pdfhttp://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/3033-How-the-cresent-fares-in-Nepal.htmlhttp://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/3033-How-the-cresent-fares-in-Nepal.htmlhttp://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/3033-How-the-cresent-fares-in-Nepal.htmlhttp://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/3033-How-the-cresent-fares-in-Nepal.htmlhttp://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/3033-How-the-cresent-fares-in-Nepal.htmlhttp://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/3033-How-the-cresent-fares-in-Nepal.htmlhttp://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/3033-How-the-cresent-fares-in-Nepal.htmlhttp://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/3033-How-the-cresent-fares-in-Nepal.htmlhttp://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/3033-How-the-cresent-fares-in-Nepal.htmlhttp://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/3033-How-the-cresent-fares-in-Nepal.htmlhttp://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/3033-How-the-cresent-fares-in-Nepal.htmlhttp://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/3033-How-the-cresent-fares-in-Nepal.htmlhttp://www.cbs.gov.np/Nepal%20in%20figure/Nepal%20in%20Figures%202006.pdf


13/14

http://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/3033-How-the-cresent-fares-in-Nepal.html

9. The Preaching of Islam by Sir Thomas W. Arnold ISBN 978-81-7151-259-1

10. Caste Hierarchy and Interethnic Stratification in the Muslim Society of Nepal by

Shanker Thapa Tribhuvan University Journal Volume XVIII, June 1995

Appendix

Questions askedName:

Sex:

Age:

Qualification:

Marital status:

Number of spouse:

Occupation:

Family size:

Family type:

Food habits:

Religious habits:
http://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/3033-How-the-cresent-fares-in-Nepal.htmlhttp://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/3033-How-the-cresent-fares-in-Nepal.htmlhttp://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/3033-How-the-cresent-fares-in-Nepal.htmlhttp://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/3033-How-the-cresent-fares-in-Nepal.htmlhttp://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/3033-How-the-cresent-fares-in-Nepal.htmlhttp://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/3033-How-the-cresent-fares-in-Nepal.html


14/14

Photo Galary

Shehanaj khattun

Documents

Reaserch on Islam