Do yoga without mantras, Malaysian PM to Muslims

Kuala Lumpur Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi said Muslims in this south-east Asian nation can continue to practice 'yoga' as long as they avoided chanting 'mantras'.
Abdullah's remarks come after a ruling by this Muslim-majority country's National Fatwa Council that yoga was 'haram' (forbidden) as it involved chanting which was against Islamic teachings and that people could deviate from Islamic faith if they performed yoga which has its roots in Hinduism.

"I wish to state that a physical regime with no elements of worship can continue, meaning, it is not banned. I believe that Muslims are not easily swayed into polytheism," Abdullah told national news agency Bernama.

The Council's verdict shocked Muslims who performed yoga, with many protesting through letters in the newspaper that the ancient form of exercise had helped them keep fit and had in no way made them deviate from their faith.

Abdullah urged everyone to understand the content of the yoga fatwa and not twist facts which could cause confusion among the public, Bernama said.

He said Muslims who performed yoga exercise and did not chant any mantra could carry on with their activity as it was good for their health. He added that non-Muslims in this multi-ethnic country should not feel hurt or slighted by the announcement of the yoga fatwa as it was only applicable to Muslims.

Malaysia has a majority Muslim population with 60 per cent following the faith, while ethnic Chinese mostly Christians and Buddhists formed 25 per cent and ethnic Indians, a majority of them Hindus comprise 8 per cent of the country's 26 million population.

Yoga is very popular across the country with several studios offering classes. Gyms too offer regular yoga lessons.

"What I understand from the decision of the National Fatwa Council is that it was aimed at explaining to Muslims the implications of yoga practice." Abdullah said adding that the yoga fatwa would only be implemented after getting the consent of the Conference of Malay Rulers.

Decisions by the Fatwa Council are not legally binding on Malaysia's Muslims until they are enshrined in national laws or Shariah laws of individual states.

Recently, the Fatwa council also ruled that girls who behaved like tomboys was unislamic.