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The National Fatwa Council on Saturday banned Muslims from practising yoga, causing an uproar among certain quarters, including Muslims.
The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism was however more concerned about the word "haram" that was used in the ruling then the ruling itself.
Datuk A. Vaithilingam, the Hindu Sangam President said that using the word "haram" in barring Muslims was uncalled for. He said that in a multiracial, multi-religious country, the fatwa council should be more sensitive in its choice of words. "Instead, they should used words like 'unsuitable' for Muslims. The word 'haram' should have been avoided", he said. (source NST).
Datuk A. Vaithilingam is right. The Fatwa Council could have been more sensitive in its choice of words. Perhaps the Fatwa Council saw a legal distinction between the word "haram' and 'unsuitable'. Maybe my Muslim friends can educate me on this.
Yoga is a treasure trove bequeathed to us by our Hindu ancestors and we are willing to share it with all. This is one the many ways where we Malaysians from different cultural and religious background can learn from and enrich one another. If the National Fatwa Council wishes to draw a line and rule that it is unsuitable for our Muslim Brothers and Sisters, we respect that edict and let our Muslim Brothers and Sisters to deal with it; if they have a problem with the fatwa.
Be that as it may, as a Hindu and a one time practitioner of yoga ( the real one under Divine Life Society, Petaling Jaya Sub-Branch - not the 'spiced-up' one currently making its round at our local gyms), this is what I have to say - Let them have their fatwa, its their loss, not ours.
The National Fatwa Council has the right to rule over what a Muslim should or should not do. Lets not get emotional about the fatwa without looking at it from their point of view as well.
We should look at look at the common traits that binds us as Malaysians instead of what separates us. We are after all a Nation that embrace our similarities and celebrate our differences.
Murugesan Sinnandavar
4 comments:
Dear Sir
Im not too crazy about sharing my people's glorious culture and civilization like what my forefathers did.
Our forefathers came to this shores and gave the local people language, custom, culture and religion.
I still remember Mathematics was known as Ilmu Hisab during the early 80s when my elder brother was in primary school.
Well does those mullahs know that Ilmu = knowledge, discipline
Hisab = Indian science.Well the Arabs who borowed heavily the maths and science knowledge from the Indians did not deny tht. Thats why they named it Ilmu Hin-sab wich later became Hisab.
Now...does that mean Mathematics is also considered haram...as it has Indian Hindu roots?
How about the language? Most of the Bahasa (laughing out loud!!!) Malaysia is heavily borrowed from Indian (sanskrit) words. Bahasa, muka, rupa, meja, gajah, singa, katil, sabun, menteri, raja, raksasa, satria, dewan, pustaka, suka, duka, maaf, etc has their roots from Hindu Indians! Does that mean the whole lexicon of Bahasa Malaysia is haram?
Maybe its time for us to rejoice and be proud of our contribution to the world in general which is acknowledged among the civilised world and its people.
We have never been ackowledged here..why..the ever fear of the majorities who knows the truth that if one is a true son of a soil (bumi putera again another sanskrit word)one should also claim originality in their culture and language which the so-called bumis cant.
And please do not equate the Hindraf as a terrorist or racist organisation.
HIndraf is what the pro-bumi policy created. If Dr.M (also another good example of having Indian legacy literally in his blood) states Hindraf as racists, well its because of his administrations policies which created it. What you sow is what you reap.
Terrorists? My oh my...there is not even an ounce of evidence to do justice to such a claim.
Anyway the Indians in this country are nation builders ( the township, railways, roads etc) not terrorists.
The only terrorists are those JI and Al Maunahs...which of course we know whose background they came from.
I think why should I fear or worry for the yoga to be deemed as haram for the muslims.
As long as I get to exercise yoga and be proud of my heritage...hmmm I can live with that.
Thanks you for your time and space.
Asha Iyengar.
Nice blog.
Please read my take on HINDRAF
http://balankumarpremakumaran.blogspot.com/
MIC is not for professionals, silent cry of a Putera MIC Leader
www.smartpirate.wordpress.com
If the government wants to isolate the Muslim community, what can we do? Weather the Muslims area allowed to practice yoga or otherwise is entirely their call and it does not reflect in any manner upon our Indian culture or religion.
So please, their fatwa is their fatwa. If our Muslim brothers happen to oppose this fatwa then they (and not us) should take it up with their relevant religious authorities .
This fatwa does not affect us any one bit. We will continue being proud of our heritage and perform our Asanas and get on with our lives. Like Mr Muru said “Let them have their fatwa, it’s their loss, not ours.”
Regards
Krish
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