Muslims in Malaysia gave mixed reactions towards the Fatwa Council of Malaysia after they declared yoga 'haram' and banned muslims from practising the ancient form of exercise, saying yoga involves not just physical exercise but also includes Hindu spiritual elements, chanting and worship which could corrupt ones' Islamic faith. While I have not met a single muslim who has converted to Hinduism from practising yoga, I am aware that this is a cause for concern for muslims in this country. Muslim yoga enthusiasts who have been practising it for years are puzzled as to how yoga could divert their religious faith, while those who are new to this exercise may now avoid it altogether.
Could yoga really be such a threat to muslims that banning it is the only solution? Has the Fatwa been to every yoga fitness centre in the country to witness any obvious Hinduism spiritual elements that could destroy ones' ingrained religous faith?
Most yoga fitness centres in the country does not teach yoga in its purest form, which may involve religous mantra, chants and worship. Further, there are many muslim yoga teachers in Malaysia who are well trained and are fully aware of the benefits yoga brings to the body and mind. I just feel that the outright ban portrays a negative image of muslims in Malaysia, who are weak and in fear of being corrupted by other religous faith and so utterly ignorant that they do not even know how to differentiate exercise from religion. And what about Tai Chi with its Taoist and Buddhist historical influence?
