Monday, December 25, 2006 at 1:01am
Nepal celebrates Xmas with new spirit
Christians in Nepal began Christmas celebrations with a new spirit since the fear of being jailed for practicing Christianity in the world's only Hindu kingdom has diminished. In April a pro-democracy movement swept King Gyanendra out of power and installed a new multi-party government which pledged to uphold human rights and make Nepal a secular state instead of establishing Hinduism as the state religion, IANS reported Monday.
Before the April revolution, though the government was largely tolerant of other religious practices, converting or attempting to convert people to other religions, especially Christianity, was punished with a fine or imprisonment or both while foreigners involved were usually deported.
Some Christian groups still report harassment and suspicion by government agencies, but the general feeling is that Nepal became more tolerant after the pro-democracy movement and the growth of missionary-run schools and hospitals.
In October 2000 four Christians, including a Norwegian, were arrested for proselytizing in eastern Nepal. A teacher alleged the four had offered him money to convert to Christianity.
Despite pleas by international organisations, a district court sentenced all four to three months in prison. They were released in February 2001.
The sea change has been celebrated by Christians in central Nepal who helped 32 people who had earlier suffered jail. Christians held a public rally to mark the new freedom and to celebrate Christmas.
Nepal's growing number of churches celebrated midnight mass on Christmas eve with special services. Though about 1.7 percent of Nepal's population is Christian, Nepalese celebrate the birth of Christ with gusto this year, thanks to a truce called by Maoists and the cancellation of a two-day general strike they threatened from Dec 31.
Nepal's tourism industry embraced the festival with hotels, restaurants and bars doing a roaring business. People also began celebrating the new year, which offers peace and progress after a decade of insurgency that killed nearly 15,000 people.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala added Christmas to the list of official programs, extending greetings to the Christian community. "Each has to make their best efforts to establish sustainable peace and build a new and prosperous Nepal," the message said.
Before the April revolution, though the government was largely tolerant of other religious practices, converting or attempting to convert people to other religions, especially Christianity, was punished with a fine or imprisonment or both while foreigners involved were usually deported.
Some Christian groups still report harassment and suspicion by government agencies, but the general feeling is that Nepal became more tolerant after the pro-democracy movement and the growth of missionary-run schools and hospitals.
In October 2000 four Christians, including a Norwegian, were arrested for proselytizing in eastern Nepal. A teacher alleged the four had offered him money to convert to Christianity.
Despite pleas by international organisations, a district court sentenced all four to three months in prison. They were released in February 2001.
The sea change has been celebrated by Christians in central Nepal who helped 32 people who had earlier suffered jail. Christians held a public rally to mark the new freedom and to celebrate Christmas.
Nepal's growing number of churches celebrated midnight mass on Christmas eve with special services. Though about 1.7 percent of Nepal's population is Christian, Nepalese celebrate the birth of Christ with gusto this year, thanks to a truce called by Maoists and the cancellation of a two-day general strike they threatened from Dec 31.
Nepal's tourism industry embraced the festival with hotels, restaurants and bars doing a roaring business. People also began celebrating the new year, which offers peace and progress after a decade of insurgency that killed nearly 15,000 people.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala added Christmas to the list of official programs, extending greetings to the Christian community. "Each has to make their best efforts to establish sustainable peace and build a new and prosperous Nepal," the message said.