Malayasia defers ruling on yoga ban

A top Muslim body in Malaysia on Friday deferred a ruling whether to allow the community to practice yoga, which has been at the centre of a controversy in the country. Malaysia's National Fatwa Council deferred announcing its ruling whether Muslims in the country can practice yoga as its chairman is currently abroad.

The Islamic Development department director-general Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz said the announcement would have to be made later as the Council chairman Dr Abdul Shukor Husin was in Jordan on an official trip.

Yoga, which is popular the world over, became the focus of a controversy in this Muslim majority country after an Islamic studies lecturer felt that practicing yoga by the community could make them deviate from their religion. The observation by Prof Zakaria Stapa of University Kebangasaan Malaysia's Islamic Studies Centre has shocked and surprised yoga enthusiasts in this country.

Several Muslim practitioners of yoga have expressed surprise at Zakaria's comments and over a decision by the Fatwa Council to announce a ruling on the issue. It was felt that yoga was a form of exercise to achieve flexibility and overcoming joint problems etc. Many felt that doing pranayam was not even remotely associated with Hinduism or any religion.

Asked if the council would need more time to discuss the issue, Wan Mohamad said the matter had already been discussed and deliberated at length and it was prepared to address the matter. He, however, declined to reveal if the fatwa would prevent Muslims from practising yoga, saying any announcement would have to come from the Council.