Oct 29, 2008
By
Staff Writer
IOL
Muslims in Malaysia may be barred from the ancient practice of yoga if they engage in Hindu "religious elements" during the exercise, a top Islamic cleric said on Wednesday.
Harussani Zakaria, a controversial cleric from the northern Perak state, said the government-backed National Fatwa Council would soon release a decree, or "fatwa", which would decide if Muslims were allowed to practise yoga.
"If it involves any faith or religious elements it is definitely not permissible but if it is just a form of exercise that is all right," Harussani said.
"Muslims cannot practice yoga in its original form because it involves another religion," he said in response to a call to ban Muslims from engaging in yoga.