I have always been frustrated by the strong influence of religion in politics. Last week, I read dozens of articles about the Mormon Church’s involvement with proposition 8. This week, religion over-stepped its bounds in Malaysia. There, a top Islamic organization banned Yoga. This is what the Straights Times quoted:
‘We are of the view that yoga, which originates from Hinduism, combines physical exercise, religious elements, chanting and worshiping for the purpose of achieving inner peace and ultimately to be one with god,’ Council chairman Abdul Shukor Husin said.
Asia One covered this story, and posted an article which argues against this ban. They quoted a woman from the Sisters of Islam saying,
“I don’t think it had caused any Muslim to convert to Hinduism, neither has it weakened their faith,” said Norhayati Kaprawi, an official with Sisters of Islam, a private group which champions the rights of Muslim women.
From what I have read thus far, the recent fatwa on Yoga is not well-received. This globally popular activity is widely practiced in mostly-Muslim Malaysia.
