Fatwa on Yoga is Not Binding: Malaysian Council

December 15, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: PTI News

http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/1BA120C88AF8FA376525752000494540?OpenDocument

With several Muslims expressing resentment over a decree which declared Yoga as 'haram' for them, Malaysia's National Fatwa Council has said the edicts issued by it were only "views" and are "not binding" on any state.

Some Malaysian states like Sarawak had banned Yoga while several others such as Malacca and Johor are contemplating to make the practice out-of-bound for Muslims after the council said it was 'haram' (forbidden) for the followers of Islam.

Dr Abdul Shukor Husin, Chairman of the Fatwa Council, said that the states could adopt the council's views or "make their own adjustments" in the matter.

"What the council presented before the enforcement is considered 'pandangan' (views) after the council held dialogues. The view only becomes a fatwa (edict) once the state governments decide to gazette it," Husin explained.

The 'fatwa' came after an Islamic professor felt that performing Yoga could make a Muslim deviate from his religion as it involved chanting of mantra and acts of worship which are against Islamic teachings.