About 10 percent of the population are Hindu. There are small populations of Shi'a Muslims, Sikhs, Baha'is, and Ahmadiyas. Estimates of these populations vary widely, from a few hundred up to 100,000 adherents for each faith. Family laws concerning marriage, divorce, and adoption differ depending on the religion of the person involved. Religion exerts a powerful influence on politics, and the Government is sensitive to the Muslim consciousness of the majority of its citizens.
Religion is taught in schools, and children have the right to be taught their own religion.
In practice, schools with very small numbers of religious minority students often work out arrangements with local churches or temples, which then direct religious studies outside school hours. The country celebrates holy days from the Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian faiths as national holidays. The Government allows various religions to establish places of worship, to train clergy, to travel for religious purposes, and to maintain links with coreligionists abroad. The law permits citizens to proselytize. However, strong social resistance to conversion from Islam means that most missionary efforts by non-Muslims are aimed at Hindus and tribal groups.