Yoga: Behind the Fatwa - Part II

This is the second and final part of 'Yoga: Behind the Fatwa'.

We continue the discussion on the Yoga Fatwa and ask trainers and practitioners what they are going to do when the Fatwa becomes law for Muslims.

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On November 22, 2008, the National Fatwa Council announced that Yoga is 'haram' in Islam and in one fell swoop, Muslims will no longer be allowed to practice it -- once it is gazetted as law.

Yoga attracted what is arguably, unwarranted attention from no less than the NFC as a result of an opinion from an Islamic scholar that Yoga, could be 'haram' in Islam because it could cause Muslims to deviate from his or her faith.

This decision drew criticisms from Muslim and non-Muslim practitioners who have felt real physical and mental benefits of Yoga through its physical exercise and meditative elements.

The Fatwa or religious decree once gazetted, will become enforceable and challenges the rights of individuals of a particular faith from practising what is essentially an ancient form of exercise.

The reason for the ban -- only that Yoga has Hindu roots.

Malaysiakini talks to Yoga instructors and practitioners on their views towards the ban.

We also talked to Norhayati Kaprawi of Sisters-In-Islam and Yusri Mohamad of Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) for their views on the Fatwa.

Producers: Lydia Azizan & Azreen Madzlan
Editor: Lydia Azizan
Camera: Shukri Mohamad & Fiqtriey Al Haqimiey

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• icfj
• fatwa
• yoga

[iezzzwan]

All those fatwa people should move to Iran. They are not connected to the rest of the world. Retarded people close minded and they cant think logically. Yet they want to tell us what we can or cannot do.

[ArmenOfTheNorth]

The hundred yard race originated in the ancient Greek Olympics. Therefore, if you ever run a hundred yard race you are a ZEUS WORSHIPING INFIDEL!!!!!!!

[amrizalih]

msmc : you are in the learning process. i believe your religion never teach you to insult other religions.

[MrMaanMan]

@chint haha we dont have muslims yoga, our way of praying is related to yoga

[vikramvishnu]

guys...yoga does not belong to A religion like hinduism or buddhism or any kind of human beleif systems ,its actually not of earth origin but of the religion of the universe called Sanatana dharma,its a process of elevating ones soul to an higher dimension because all human beings are spirit souls just using the physical body as a vehicle,when the vehicle gets worn out you repair it with yoga.

[1968krishna]

ZERO INVENTED BY ANCIENT HINDUS ( INDIANS) ANY ONE CAN THINK ABOUT THIS WORLD WHAT HAPPEN IF U SAY ZERO IS A HINDUS INVENTION SO DO NOT USE ZERO ... RESELT WILL ZERO ZERO...ZERO... THIS WORLD BECOME ZERO...

[muhammadsucksmycock1]

@amrizalih well..this is the respect i will give to your precious evil cult...fuck islam,fuck child rapist pedophile muhammad and fuck cock sucking allah!...and yes i do know evil islam

[lahij]

maybe problay yoga is hindi buddism not muslim make it, muslim dont created yoga, that why hindi not muslim created yoga fitness, prayer better than yoga

[pinang9]

Wat will the nx fatwa be...??? wat will they ban next..?? women from driving?? like in saudi arabia....?? the MODEL of islam