Malay Islamic Council rules out issuing fatwa without states nod

Kuala Lumpur, Dec.15 (ANI): The Chairman of the the National Fatwa Council, in Malaysia, Dr Abdul Shukor Husin, has said the council has never issued a fatwa (edict) without the states' approval."The states could adopt the council's views or make their own adjustments" he said.Noting that there was a lot of confusion over the recent fatwa, including the controversial one involving yoga,The Star quoted him as saying:"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," he added.

Earlier, the council had issued a fatwa declaring that it was haram (forbidden) for Muslims to take up yoga as it involves chanting of mantra and acts of worship which are against Islamic teachings."We realise it is impossible to please everyone (with fatwa)," Husin said. (ANI)