Yoga not banned in malaysia

Yoga without chanting or mantra given the green light by PM

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Muslims who performed yoga without chanting any mantra can carry on with their activity as it was good for their health.

He urged all quarters to understand the content of the yoga fatwa issued by the National Fatwa Council and not twist facts and cause confusion among the public.

He said: "I wish to state that a physical regimen with no elements of worship can continue, meaning, it is not banned. I believe that Muslims are not easily swayed into polytheism," he told Bernama yesterday.

Abdullah was asked to comment on the yoga fatwa issue following the opposing views expressed by various quarters and the confusion that arose after the National Fatwa Council ruled that it was haram (forbidden) for Muslims to take up yoga as it involved chanting of mantra and acts of worship which are against Islamic teachings.

At the same time, the Prime Minister said, non-Muslims should not feel hurt or slighted by the announcement of the yoga fatwa as it was only applicable to Muslims.

Ban on YOGA

Yoga been banned in malaysia for the muslims to practise, it has some mixed reactions !!! Quotes taken from leading newspaper and websites...

First, Yoga was banned for the reason said it could be traced back to Hinduism and concluded that yoga could erode the faith of Muslims.

"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," Abdul Shukor said.

This ban has some mixed reactions too...Many Muslim cancer survivors who practise yoga to promote general wellbeing are disappointed and confused over the National Fatwa Council’s edict on the ancient form of exercise.

National Cancer Society of Malaysia’s advisor Datuk Zuraidah Atan said she had been inundated with calls from the survivors who were confused and apprehensive over the edict or fatwa.

“Besides yoga, we also have Qigong sessions. Is the Fatwa Council going to ban qi gong, too, because it has its origins in Buddhism? Then how about line dancing? We also organise that as a form of light exercise for cancer survivors,” she said

“An overreaching fatwa like this is not good for them as unnecessary worry can have a negative effect on them psychologically and physically. Some are already feeling guilty for practising it.

A top yoga practitioner in India, Mani Chaitanya, said the Malaysian clerics seem to have "misunderstood the whole thing." Chanting during yoga is to calm the mind and "elevate our consciousness," said Chaitanya, the director of the Sivananda Ashram in New Delhi.

"It is not worship. It's not religious at all. Yoga is universal. All religions can practice yoga. You can practice yoga and still be a good Christian or a good Muslim," he said