COMMENTARY
NOV 25 - At a time when the entire world’s confidence in the global financial system is being severely shaken, Malaysia’s Muslim scholars are in a state over a four-letter word – yoga – the ancient set of physical movements and meditation that they believe can erode the faith of the faithful.
The fatwa banning yoga, particularly its accompanying chants and prayers, is the latest issued by scholars who form Malaysia’s National Fatwa Council, deliberating on a whole host of issues that never cropped up in the time of Prophet Muhammad 1,400 years ago.
The council's last edict was weeks ago against women who dress like men which the learned scholars say could lead to lesbianism.
Previously, they had issued edicts that banned cults, heavy rock music, Muslim women in beauty contests, stunning cattle to death, horror movies and others.And now, yoga.
While the controversial edict will take its time to become law in the various states – Islam is a state matter under the Federal Constitution – the scholars themselves appear to be split on the issue.
Outgoing Perlis Mufti Dr Asri Zainul Abidin, who apparently did not attend the fatwa council meeting, yesterday said the authorities should offer alternative versions of yoga instead of banning the exercise.
“Yoga practitioners who are Muslims should be given an alternative by practising a version of yoga that does not resemble the version practised by other religions,” The Star quoted him as saying, adding that chanting while practising the exercise should also be stopped.
“The fatwa announced in this day and age should not be too rigid. The human movement does not necessarily have a connection with religion,” Asri said.
Most politicians have been silent on the issue, except for Malacca chief minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Ali Rustam, who is also aspiring to be Umno deputy president, agreeing to implement the edict, underscoring the establishment’s penchant for top-down leadership and directives.
However, cooler heads appear to be prevailing. Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has said the ban will not be enforced until the matter is studied further
But yoga practitioners, be they Muslims or not, are upset.
National Cancer Society of Malaysia advisor Datuk Zuraidah Atan said Muslim cancer survivors are confused as the exercise has proven calming in their fight against the disease.
“An overreaching fatwa like this is not good for them as unnecessary worry can have a negative effect on them psychologically and physically,” she said on Sunday, adding that “Some are already feeling guilty for practising it.’
Others fear Islamic department enforcement officials will raid yoga sessions in search of Muslims breaking the fatwa if the edict is implemented.
“You take up yoga to exercise and meditate, not run helter skelter,” a yoga follower told The Malaysian Insider.
Another said the economy should be a greater concern than losing one’s faith through yoga.
“They should be reassuring us in these crazy times, not putting the fear of God in us,” she said. “And if they are so shallow as to think that yoga can lead to Hinduism or wearing pants can turn one into a lesbian, they don’t deserve to be scholars of any kind.”
But the scholars would beg to differ and have said their edicts should not be criticised but must be followed, fuelling the belief that it all boils down to control over Muslims and their insecurity that the faithful are, well... not that faithful.
And they believe they have the power of the state behind them to ensure compliance.
However, for Malaysians, especially the Muslims, the latest fatwa is a test of faith and freedom to decide what is best for themselves. Just like March 8.
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'Mat rempits' to my mind, is more of a concern than 'tomboys' anytime.