Friday, November 21, 2008
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysia's top Islamic body on Saturday banned Muslims from practicing yoga, saying the Indian physical exercise contains elements of Hinduism and could corrupt Muslims.
The National Fatwa Council, which has the authority to rule on how Muslims must conduct their faith, issued a fatwa, or edict, saying yoga involves not just physical exercise but also includes Hindu spiritual elements, chanting and worship.
Council chairman Abdul Shukor Husin told reporters that many Muslims who practice the globally popular yoga failed to understand that its ultimate aim was to be one with a god of a different religion.
"We are of the view that yoga, which originates from Hinduism, combines physical exercise, religious elements, chanting and worshipping for the purpose of achieving inner peace and ultimately to be one with god," he said.
"It is inappropriate. It can destroy the faith of a Muslim," he said.
The Fatwa Council's decisions are not legally binding on Muslims, who comprise nearly two-thirds of Malaysia's 27 million people, unless they are enshrined in national or Shariah laws. ---(Read More)---
Malaysia clerics issue yoga fatwa
Page last updated at 09:37 GMT, Saturday, 22 November 2008BBC News, Kuala Lumpur
The Islamic authorities have issued a ruling, known as a fatwa, instructing the country's Muslims to avoid yoga because of its Hindu roots.
To most people yoga is simply a sport - a stress-busting start to the day.
Malaysia's National Fatwa Council said it goes further than that and that elements of the Indian religion are inherent in yoga.
Announcing the decision, the council chairman Abdul Shukor Husin said practices like chanting and what he called worshipping were inappropriate and they could "destroy the faith of a Muslim".
The ruling is not legally binding but many of Malaysia's Muslims abide by fatwas. ---(Read More)---
Malaysia, secular democracy country where Islam is the official religion. I heard from my friends that Christian also ban Yoga. They are not allowed to learn Qi gong , Kung Fu or Yoga. Now, the turns to Islam. And this announcement brings us to the international news in overseas too. Why Malaysia is always famous in those issues related to religion or racists? -.-" Today news in The Star mentioned that many Muslim cancer survivors who practice yoga to promote general wellbeing are disappointed and confused over the National Fatwa Council edict on the ancient form of exercise. However, if Muslim are banned on practicing Yoga. It is a sure that many fitness central or Yoga learning central conducted by Malay will facing closing or bankrupt.
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