Recollecting Nepali Muslim's rare honor to late King Birendra

N.P.Upadhyaya

Tanim Khan

The national population mourned the death of late King Birendra in accordance with their prevailing traditions and culture. What was sure was that each and every segment of the Nepali society did mourn the tragedy and that too with full honor and respect. The mourning was so real that the people considered that had lost their parent from amidst themselves. A sort of shock had prevailed in the entire nation and the mourning population perhaps consumed pretty some time to completely believe that King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya were no more in this material world.

The shock of the calamity was so great that some thing unbelievable happened this time. The Muslim community in the Terai plains too joined the nation and expressed their devotion to their beloved monarch by following the Hindu tradition to a greater extent. Unbelievable it might appear to many, however, the fact is that a sizeable chunk of the Nepali Muslims in Terai did shave their Heads and some media reports even claimed that this community observed full thirteen day rites as is demanded in the Hindu religion. This was really not only very surprising but also incredible.

This event, that is the Muslim population's honor and respect exhibited to their Crown then in this manner will go a long way in Nepal's history and would remain ever an act to be emulated by others in other parts of the globe.

The Muslim community's noble gesture that went extra way also should send signals to those who at times prefer to add fuel to the fire of communal hatred. With this rare example in place, many observers within and without would have felt that it is this country, Nepal and Nepal only, where such extra ordinary blend of different religions coexist in such a magnificent way.

I'm told that in Palpa and nearby Pokhara, there still lives a Muslim community that observes the Durga Puja festivals as the Hindus perform. No wonder that these Muslims offer TIKA to their juniors and accept TIKA from their elders. I am also told that the names of the Muslims living in those areas bear Hindu names.

To cut it short, I wish to cite yet another heart touching revelation from a neighboring diplomat who had said, I recall, that King Birendra's sad and sudden death caused panic in his house.

Mr. Abdul Kader Khan, Counselor at the Bangladesh embassy, says: (sic) "The moment my son and daughter listened to the news of King Birendra's death, they suggested me to wind up their Kathmandu tenure".

"'The King of Nepal was like our own parent and guardian. When he is no more in the world, what is the purpose in staying in Kathmandu for long"'? Was the outburst of those two kids from B'desh said a panicked Counselor. The kids are Tanim and Tanima respectively. I thank you very much little friends! I hope you both are doing well in Bangladesh. I wish you both all the best.

Perhaps this also explains that what sort of love and respect King Birendra commanded even in the minds of the B'deshi children who have only heard of Kings and Emperors and that too only in story books. But it was their tenure in Nepal they could see the King.

All that we have to do now is to nurture such positive trends and act in a manner that contributes to the enhancement of our communal harmonies with all the religions including the Muslims, here and abroad as well. 

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