A Nepali man has been jailed in Qatar on charge of insulting Islam in front of students. Dorje Gurung of Mustang, a chemistry teacher at Qatar Academy for the last one year, was fired late last month over an allegation that he had denigrated Islam in front of students — a charge he denies. 

The Embassy of Nepal in Doha, Qatar, confirmed that Gurung has been arrested.

Arab News, a local online portal, reported that the charge was apparently pressed against him after an argument with 12-year-old male students some two weeks ago. He was fired shortly after the incident and was set to leave for Nepal but was called to police station on May 1 and has not been home since, according to the website, implying that he must have been behind bars for about a week now. 

Nepal’s Ambassador to Qatar Maya Kumari Sharma confirmed that the mission had received information regarding Gurung’s arrest and custody but failed to provide details. She said the embassy was sending a letter to the Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to give permission to meet Gurung and ensure him legal representation on Sunday.

“On Wednesday, a Nepali friend of Gurung informed us about his arrest by police. We could not approach the Government of Qatar today given the work pressure here,” Sharma told THT over phone. “We will inquire about his arrest on Sunday and will do whatever we can.” Sharma said Gurung was yet to be produced in court by Qatari police for trial.

A journalist, who had personally met Gurung last year, told THT that he was teaching at the Qatar Academy for the last two years. Before that he used to teach in Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok. He also worked as a teacher in the Australian International School in Saigon, Vietnam, the International School of Azerbaijan and Bishop Mackenzie International School in Malawi, according to reports. 

Gurung pursued his higher education in the US and the UK and has not lived in Nepal for the last 24 years but has a home in Nayabazaar, Kathmandu, according to reports.

Published on: 10 May 2013 | The Himalayan Times