Nepali Muslims, while mainly
Sunni, constitute a heterogeneous group. Their ancestors arrived in Nepal from different parts of
South Asia and
Tibet during different epochs, and have since lived amidst the numerically dominant Hindus. About 97% of the Muslim community live in the
Terai region, while the other 3
re found mainly in the city of
Kathmandu and the western hills. The community numbers 971,056, about 3.7% of the total population of
Nepal. Districts with large Muslim population include
Rautahat (17.2%),
Bara (11.9%), and
Parsa (17.3%) in the central Terai bordering the state of
Bihar,
Kapilbastu (16.8%) and
Banke (16%) in the western Terai and
Sirahi (7%) and
Sunsari (10%) and
Saptari (10%) eastern Terai.