Kathmandu, January 14:

Muslim leaders today asked the Constituent Assembly (CA) to ensure their rights in the new constitution and secure their identity rather than include them in the marginalised group.

Addressing an interaction on Muslims’ agendas in new constitution, Habi Bulla, a member of the special committee on integration and rehabilitation of Maoist army, said the Muslims were facing identity crisis in Nepal and that they were facing social, cultural and religious discriminations.

“Though Nepal is declared as a secular state, the country is yet to perform its responsibility as a secular state” Bulla alleged.

Akthar Hussain, president of Rastriya Muslim Mukti Morcha, said many Muslims were serving jail terms for slaughtering cow, the national animal of Nepal. “We slaughter cows to consume its meat as per our culture,” Hussain said, demanding the government to change the national animal. “We are ready to accept any animal as national animal,” he added. He also called upon the Muslim CA members to raise their voice for the formation of a ‘Muslim Commission’ at the earliest.

Lal Babu Kawari, section officer at the Home Ministry, said, “Though the government has decided to provide reservation to Muslims in different sectors, they aren’t getting any.” CA member Najir Miya said 17 Muslim CA members would work as per the expectations of the Muslim community and would help secure their rights in the new constitution. “The Muslim CA members are working as a bridge between the government and the Muslim community,” he said.

Miya also said the Muslim CA members were being discriminated against even in the CA.