Islamic scholars challenge MUI edicts on smoking and yoga
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 01/26/2009 7:15 PM
Hasyim Muzadi, chairman of the country’s largest Islamic organization, challenged an edict by the country’s highest Islamic authority, The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), which bans smoking by children and pregnant women.
Hasyim, himself a smoker, said Monday that the Nahdlatul Ulama, which he chairs, has long declared smoking as “mukruh” (allowed but discouraged), and therefore, had never banned smoking.
"The danger of smoking is relative, not as significant as the danger of drinking (alcohol). Also, those who smoke have also relative benefit, for example, their thinking is clear when smoking,” he was quoted by Tempointeraktif.com as saying.
A special meeting of the Indonesian Ulema Council in Padangpanjang, West Sumatra, on Sunday concluded that smoking was haram and banned pregnant women and children, as well as men in public places, from the practice.
The MUI also banned Muslims from practicing yoga if it contains Hindu rituals such as chanting, the chairman of the group said Monday, citing concerns that it would corrupt their faith.
Meanwhile, Muslim scholar Azyumardi Azra said that the MUI edict on smoking was nothing new because local governments including the Jakarta administration have also banned smoking in public places.
“The MUI edict only gives theological supports to the existing regulations,” he said.
However, Azyumardi, who is an assistant to Vice President Jusuf Kalla, said the MUI edict on yoga was unnecessary and could be counter-productive.
“I know many Muslims are practicing yoga but they still observe Islamic teachings. They do not take the Hindu teachings, but practice it as an exercise for their physical and mental wellbeing,” he said.
Although the edict is not legally binding, most devout Muslims will likely adhere to the MUI edict because they consider ignoring a fatwa, or religious decree, sinful.
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