Sultans unhappy for not being consulted on fatwa against Yoga

Singapore, Nov 25 (UNI) The Malaysian Sultans have taken an exception for not having been consulted as the country's religious heads on a fatwa, banning the practice of Yoga for Muslims.

The Sultan of Selangor state in peninsular Malaysia said the fatwa could not be implemented in the state yet as it had not been presented to the State Fatwa Committee.

Selangor state Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has rebuked the National Fatwa Council on bypassing the rulers, and putting the fatwa in limbo.

The fatwa, issued on Saturday, had bypassed the conference of rulers, despite the fact that the King is head of Islam in the predominantly Muslim Malaysia and the Sultans are head of religion in their respective states.

The Islamic Religious Department director Jamry Sury in the northern peninsular Malaysian state of Perak, has said the fatwa would not be adopted as it has to clear several procedures including seeking the consent of the Sultan.

Meanwhile, the Perlis state Mufti Dr Asri Zainal Abidin spoke out against the edict, saying Yoga with the non-Muslim elements removed, should be allowed.

The fatwa was issued on Sunday, banning Yoga practice among Muslims for fear that it would deviate their thinking as the age old exercise involves chanting the Hindu mantras.

UNI XC KK RAI1050