KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 — The country’s top Islamic body today ruled against Muslims practising yoga, saying it has elements of other religions that could corrupt Muslims.
The National Fatwa Council's non-binding edict said yoga involves not just physical exercise but also includes Hindu spiritual elements, chanting and worship.
"It is inappropriate. It can destroy the faith of a Muslim," council chairman Abdul Shukor Husin told reporters.
He noted that clerics in Egypt issued a similar edict in 2004 that called the practice of yoga "an aberration."
Though the council's decisions are not legally binding on Malaysia's Muslim population, many abide by the edicts out of deference, and the council does have the authority to ostracise an offending Muslim from society.
The fatwa reflects the growing strain of conservatism in Malaysia, which has always taken pride in its multiethnic population. About 25 per cent of Malaysians are ethnic Chinese and 8 per cent ethnic Indians, mostly Hindus.
Recently, the council issued an edict banning tomboys, ruling that girls who act like boys violate the tenets of Islam.
The fatwa council took up the yoga issue after an Islamic scholar last month expressed an opinion at a seminar that it was un-Islamic.
But yoga teacher Suleiha Merican, who has been practising yoga for 40 years, called yoga "a great health science" and said there is no religion involved.
"We don't do chanting and meditation. There is no conflict because yoga is not religion based," Suleiha, 56, told The Associated Press.
There are no figures for how many Muslims practise yoga, but many yoga classes have a sprinkling of Muslims attending.
Putri Rahim, a housewife, said she is no less a Muslim after practising yoga for 10 years.
"I am mad! Maybe they have it in mind that Islam is under threat. To come out with a fatwa is an insult to intelligent Muslims. It's an insult to my belief," Putri told The Associated Press.
In a recent blog posting, social activist Datin Marina Mahathir criticised the council for even considering a yoga ban, calling it "a classic case of reacting out of fear and ignorance." — AP

written by In or Out, November 22, 2008
Yoga and Islam? None of my business, carry on, make my day.... what's next? Tae Kwon Do and Islam?
written by JT, November 22, 2008
written by sbanpjman, November 22, 2008
written by Confused Malaysian , November 22, 2008
Mat rempit create more danger to the society than yoga.
written by Kopi O Kau, November 22, 2008
Everything they see is evil.
Why not send them to Taliban??
written by A, November 22, 2008
written by Anan Duran, November 22, 2008
The next biggest muslims group are the Arabs followed by the Malays(meaning, Indonesians, Thai, Filippino and Malay muslims)
And the Malay group was made muslims by the Indian muslims and culturally, they are closer to Indian group than Arabs.
We have suicide attacks growing in the muslim world, some under the guise of Jihad. This is not our culture nor Islam acceptable. Basically, it is Arab culture. So let us differentiate between Islam and culture. Arab culture is not Islam!
And we don't become better more Islamic by following all things Arab or Wahabbis. Just don't be like Saudi Arabia where there is no tolerence even for a Shia Mosque.
Let's learn to accept culture and religion can live side by side. The Muslims in the Indian Subcontinent did not become less Islamic or Muslims although there is Yoga is all around them there.
And today you and I are followers of Islam, Christanity, Buddhism etc mainly because our parents brought us up in the particular religion there were in. Not by studying all the world's religion, then making a choice to be a Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu etc.
Let us learn to be tolerant and believe people are intelligent to choose wisely. Today, Muslims are less advanced as compared to earlier times, mainly because we never have an open mind to discuss things, so afraid we will fall into influence of others, that we rather remain closed.
written by Joe Lee, November 22, 2008
1. Art
2. Singing
3. Dancing
4. Music
5. Movies
6. Photography
7. Biology and other sciences
8. Activites that requires us to extend our physical self, such as sports
9. Thinking (especially negative or naughty thoughts)
This is because, with only a little imagination, all the above can be a lot more serious than a couple of hours of wholesome Yoga exercises.
With this Fatwa, Malaysia shines again as one big dumbo country. And getting dumber by the day.
Malaysia does badly need a big Fatwa- a Fatwa against stupidity!
written by mi, November 22, 2008
written by loner186, November 22, 2008
cowardice & self righteousness infuence the action of the weak.
forceful actions hide ones weakness...
alas... power in the wrong hands leads to future bleak...
written by chaptokam, November 22, 2008
written by Pat Ling, November 22, 2008
written by Lek, November 22, 2008
written by Abdul Salam, November 22, 2008
written by Card, November 22, 2008
What a joke. We're ashamed of being associated as Muslims along with them. Don't call them Muslims, call them zealots.
written by Giada, November 22, 2008
God has given us a great gift , which is "intellect". Through questioning a decision, good or great things has been achieved . Following blindly, without questioning can lead to disastrous situations, therefore, before things get out of hand, I believe that it's your life and you should have control or at least a say about it. To all my muslim friends reading, think about it.
By the way, we don't chant in yoga class. Haven't had a single lesson about Lord Brahma, Shiva or Vishnu after 2 years in yoga class either !! Maybe the fatwa council will care to enlighten me.
written by Sophia, November 22, 2008
written by MatSalleh, November 22, 2008
written by m h choy, November 22, 2008
written by lllya Kurayakin, November 22, 2008
written by soulsberry, November 22, 2008
written by kopitiam, November 22, 2008
written by Reck, November 23, 2008
Some dude said MFK should ban rasuah,rempit and etc.. those social illness is already BAN in Islam and stated in Holy Al-Quran... no need Fatwa to clarified it.. Fatwa is needed when current issue like yoga,tomboy or botox happen and up to date knowledge and research needed..
Religions and culture is a different thing.. Bahasa Malaysia, wedding, Silat is part of malay culture...process of assimilation of local and foreign happen everywhere in the world.. ancient Local Malay experienced the force of Indian diaspora and China diaspora.. so, why questioned the uniqueness of bahasa malaysia by claiming it as Sanskrit origin?
written by KC, November 23, 2008
written by Nik, November 23, 2008
Suggest you could stop these "crook" Bomoh and it a nuisance to the society.
written by LKY, November 23, 2008
written by ma lay sia, November 23, 2008
written by maju, November 23, 2008
that it is ok to do the physical form of yoga minus the chanting etc... ive been doing yoga for 6 years and i do it as part of my strength routine. i understand where they are coming from and their reasons. i respect that. but people! they did say that it is not wrong to do yoga as long as you dont do it systematically. so theres no issue at all.
written by antipode, November 23, 2008
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/Frontpage/2409541/Article/index_html
Asked if practising yoga with the intention of promoting physical health was also against the fatwa, he said although it did not include the chanting and beliefs, it was discouraged.
This, he said, was because the physical movements of yoga were a component of the practice which was haram.
"In Islam, one must not do things which can erode one's aqidah (belief). Yoga, even the physical movements, is a step towards the erosion of a Muslim's belief, hence they must avoid it."
written by NOT PC, November 23, 2008
Malaysian Muslim women have been the targets of so many fatwas to curtail their divine human rights. Fight back my dear Muslim sisters. You can do that by massively voting for Pakatan Rakyat the next election. Teach BN a lesson or forever suffer as second class citizens. It's the truth.
written by maju, November 23, 2008
it is not haram. they also said to be mindful when practising the asanas. wallahualam.
written by reck, November 23, 2008
it is useless to ask for those guys who comment based on emotion to do research on Jakim website or other sources. They just hate anything about Islam i quest, try to explain about fatwa but they keep insulting our majlis Fatwa by calling stupid, sick etc. keep asking to ban B.malaysia, payung, wedding and anything about malay culture.
just let them be...
written by sheik, November 23, 2008
I am ashamed and humiliated because because my government , my guardians and most of all my Sultans, thinks I am an IDIOT! That I am incapable of differentiating between my religious believes and an exercise routine (which I have practiced for the last 35 years) and not once missed my friday prayers all this while.
Perhaps it's appropriate at this time to mention that my forefathers as with all Malays in this region were Hindus and that all our customary rites at home and even in every palace in Malaysia is rooted in Hindu tradition.
Why do we have to deny this truth? Why is it that when you become Muslims, you have to give up your cultural believes? Because this is what this fatwa ruling tantamounts to.
Will our leaders (I hope our Royal Highnesses as the guardians of Islam, read this) please do something. I and every Muslim in this country is becoming a laughing stock wherever we go. GOD SAVE MALAYSIA!
written by antipode, November 23, 2008
Why should Hindus get upset if some Hindu practices are deemed un-Islamic?
All religions have do'd and don'ts that are in conflict with the practices of another religion ... Muslims can't eat pork, Hindus can't eat beef, the list goes on. So what? You do or don't do your thing, let the other fella do or not do his or her thing, according to his or her beliefs.
written by soulsberry, November 23, 2008
Let's leave it to our Muslim brother and sister to sort it out.
written by sheik, November 23, 2008
But it did. In the most terrible way, in the name of Islam.
We all know now what has happened and is still happening in Afghanistan today. Just because of a few individuals wielding their religious powers and using it to control the people and the government, the country was torn apart and millions died and suffered. To reverse the damage (both culturally & economically) done will probably take twice as long.
If we Malaysians give in to these power hungry people who use religion to instill fear on the population, then our path will be no different from that of the Afghans. I don't think we want to go there.
written by Insaf Bambang, November 23, 2008
This is what we call IGNORANCE!
There are many aspects to yoga. The ones that they mentioned are practiced by Hindus and non-Muslim practitioners, which includes meditation and the lot.
The yoga poses are just meant to be exercises for the body.
Everything starts with a 'Niat' (intention) That is the first teaching in Islam - we 'Niat' to exercise NOT to go into Hinduism.
Kenapa bodoh sangat....
Kalau gitu, silat pun tak boleh.. coz u will go into some sort of deviated mantras/meditation too... Shit heads!!!
I cannot stand stupidity !!!!
Kalau nak betulkan orang Islam, betulkan perempuan-perempuan yg bertudung tapi pakai seluar/baju ketat. What the hell is that! Pakai tudung tu uniform Islam aje ke... other aspects tak ambil tau...
Really... shit heads!!!!!!!
written by Giada, November 23, 2008
We need to voice our opinion, that this is wrong and completely appalling. A completely baseless decision! Where are the statistics ? I would like to know if any Muslims has converted to Hinduism just because they practise yoga ? Probably NONE !! These IDIOTS don't even know how many Muslims are practising yoga !!
Our Muslim brothers and sisters has to see that they must stand up for their rights and freedom because very soon, they won't have any left !! Is this the way we want our country to grow into ? Why Pakatan did so well in the last election? BECAUSE WE AS RAKYAT ARE FED UP OF OUR GOVERNMENT WHO THINKS WE ARE COMPLETE MORONS !! AND WE CONTINUE TO LET THEM THINK WE ARE MORONS IF WE DON'T STAND UP FOR OUR RIGHTS !!!
written by puzzled, November 24, 2008
The word "corrupt" here means refers to the corruption faith element of the religion, i.e. faith is the root of the muslim idealogy and practice. I am not a muslim scholar to define this correctly, but faith is about believe is the God is one, his Prophets, His Angels, His books and His intentions. The faith tells the position of muslim person, in relation to his God. Faith belongs in the heart and cannot be seen and heard.
Anything that can deviate a muslim's faith, should be avoided no matter how small, as it is risking the root and fundamentals of the religion. Its on the basis of faith also, a muslim decides to abide or ignore the teachings of Islam. Same with the case of the recent fatwas, it is really nothing new.
However, its a different matter whether a muslim decides to abide or ignore the teachings of the religion, despite clear instructions in the Quran, hadis and fatwa. Some muslim still dont pray, dont fast, take bribes, misuse power, steals, tell lies, fornicate... and so on.
i hope that those who kept calling names to the Fatwa council to stop as it does not good and just make the emotion worse. The ruling is only applicable for muslims and even that it is not legally binding. It all a matter of a muslims' faith, whether they comply or not. It should not be an issue whatsoever, especially among non-muslim.
written by Josh, November 24, 2008
written by The, November 24, 2008
As this is matter that concern only Muslim, i think it is not appropriate for non-muslim like me to make public comment and question the decision.
Let's leave it to our Muslim brother and sister to sort it out. ///
soulsberry, it is exactly this attitude of yours that resulted in the Holocaust...
When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I was not a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came...
written by myzal, November 24, 2008
It sad to see muslims among those against the fatwa.
Better to use ur head than mere logics... Maybe there's blessing in disguise.....
written by oik, November 24, 2008
Catholics can't divorce or use condoms, Jehovah's Witnesses can't have blood transfusions, orthodox Jews don't use electricity on Saturdays, Sikhs aren't allowed to cut their hair.
Why don't you so-called "liberals" condemn and ridicule them and their faith as well?
written by aisha, November 26, 2008
Fatwa body shd be more responsible in making decisions....
This kind of ruling cd lead to alterations in the real law from the 'Quran'....
Jangan sampai terjadi....Old Quran n New Quran....
Wasalam





I am sure there will be 'pious' and more religious muslim who will tell me go learn about Islam as their intepretation is Yoga is bad but they do not look at the more important issues. My reply is your interpretation give Islam a Bad Name!