Malaysian fatwa agency forbids Yoga for Muslims

The Jakarta Post   |  Sat, 11/22/2008 7:07 PM  |  Headlines

An authority on religious affairs in Malaysia has issued a fatwa saying Yoga is forbidden for Muslims.

The fatwa, announced by the National Fatwa Agency on Saturday, deems Yoga incorporates physical movements, musical sounds, singings and adorations that are not inline with Islamic teachings.

The agency said that the fatwa was not legally binding and that it would only serve as a formal opinion representing members of Muslim community in Malaysia. According to the latest census report, currently there are about 27 million Muslims in the country or about two-third of the total population.

The controversy about Yoga in the largely Muslim populated country became a public attention recently, following a statement of a lecturer at the Malaysia National University, Zakaria Stapa, which said that Yoga is an element of Hindu teachings and that it could affect the faith of Yoga practicing Muslims.

He argued that Yoga distances Muslims from Islam.

In response to his statements, a civil society group -- Malaysian Muslim Solidarity Movement --- launched a counter argument saying that Yoga is only a type of sports and adapted by Muslim to the betterment of health. (and)

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Chau (not verified) — Thu, 11/27/2008 - 10:46am

There are many Christians and Buddhist practicing yoga for many years. they have never been swayed away from their religion even though they are deeply involved in yoga. if your faith is strong, daily activities will not erode your religious belief. Only weak mind and heart can be persuaded to change what they believe it.

Simplynk (not verified) — Tue, 11/25/2008 - 12:50pm

Bahasa Malaysia version:-
http://www.islam.gov.my/portal/yoga_Bm.php

English version:-
http://www.islam.gov.my/portal/yoga_Bi.php

They only declared that the yoga practice which involves three elements of physical movements, worshipping and chanting as haram (prohibited) in Islam.
Take note on the "worshipping" and "chanting".

Yoga with only physical movements should be no issues.
TQ

Laksamana Sunan (not verified) — Mon, 11/24/2008 - 9:13pm

For us, yoga can destroy a Muslim's faith. But this is not a matter for the non-Muslims to be concerned about because it's not imposed on them.

Ahmad Mahmood (not verified) — Sun, 11/23/2008 - 10:51am

Malaysia once again becomes the laughing stock of the world. They claim they are a developed country, yet it's people are lost in the dark ages. In Malaysia there is no freedom of religion. If you are malay you MUST be muslim!? Where is the choice? The fatwa council is just scared their "followers" are dwindling. This latest fatwa no doubt will make it dwindle further.

Matsaleh (not verified) — Sun, 11/23/2008 - 6:02am

How ridiculous, this is beyond a joke. Are members of this agency so insular and xenophobic they can't accept that teachings from another religion could be beneficial to everyone?

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