KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala today said he was inspired by the Muslim community in his political career.

Speaking during the first national conference of the Nepal Muslim Union, religious wing of the NC, Koirala said, “Today I am here to recognise the contribution of the Muslim brothers and sisters who actively participated in numerous democratic movements right from the anti-Rana battle in the country. It was Muslim community that inspired me to get into politics for peace and democracy.”

He said Dr Khalil

Ajad inspired him to unite democratic forces after the latter’s release from the prison during the Rana regime. To woo the audience, he said: “Hum aapke hain, aap hamaren hain.”

“To spread the message of religious tolerance and harmony is the need of the hour,” he said. Minister for Foreign Affairs Sujata Koirala, Minister for Energy Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, Minister for Irrigation Bal Krishna Khand and NMU president Abdul Sattar also spoke on the occasion.