Fatwa issued against yoga in Indonesia

Indonesia's top Islamic body has banned Muslims in the country from practicing yoga.

The 700-odd clerics of the Indonesian Council of Ulemas were in agreement that yoga exercises included Hindu religious rituals that were haram (forbidden in Islam).

During the weekend talks in Padang Panjang, a village in West Sumatra province, the clerics and scholars felt that practising rituals will erode and weaken Islamic faith.

Indonesia has more Muslims than any other country in the world, some 210 million. Most practice a moderate form of the faith, but a vocal extremist fringe has succeeded in recent years in influencing the government, which relies on the support of Islamic parties.

However, the council was okay with practicing yoga as an exercise. Yoga is a popular stress-buster in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta. 

Though not legally binding, the devout Muslims will likely adhere to the ruling because ignoring a religious decree is regarded as a sin.

The council also debated whether Muslims should be banned from smoking. If the top Islamic body issues a ruling on the issue, it could shape government policy in one of the world's largest tobacco markets.