Yoga banned for Muslims in Malaysia

[Sunni Man]

Malaysians were told by the country's top Islamic council Saturday to avoid yoga because it uses Hindu prayers and encourages a union with God that is blasphemous.

"Yoga is forbidden for Muslims. The practice will erode their faith in the religion," Abdul Shukor Husin, chairman of the government-backed National Fatwa Council, told reporters.


" Yoga is forbidden for Muslims. The practice will erode their faith in the religion. "
Top Islamic chief Yoga, an ancient Indian aid to meditation dating back thousands of years, is a popular stress-buster in Kuala Lumpur.

"There are other ways to get exercise and a peace of mind," Husin said, adding "you can go cycling, swimming and eat less fatty food."

Husin said yoga involved physical and religious elements of Hinduism including the recitation of mantras he also said the ban would not be implemented on non-Muslims.

"For us, yoga can destroy a Muslim's faith. But this is not a matter for the non-Muslims to be concerned about because it's not imposed on them. We are looking out for the Muslim community," he said, noting Egypt and Singapore had issued similar rulings.

Islam is the official religion of Malaysia, where more than 60 percent of the population of 27 million are Muslim Malays who practice a conservative brand of the religion.

The new ruling comes hot on the heels of another edict against young Muslim women wearing trousers after the council said that by wearing trousers, girls risked becoming sexually active "tomboys."

Yoga banned for Muslims in Malaysia: official

 

[bigdaddygtr]

Another example where the Muslims have as many nutjobs as any other religion starting with you. The reason for the split between the Sunni and the Shia is further proof that some of you are absolutely insane. And now you've been fighting for 1300 years, oppressing Africans(Sudan) and Indian's and you want us to listen to you now?

I got an idea, if you want the western world's respect, stop being fucking nut jobs, stop committing genocide, and repair the Sunni/Shia relationship. Then you will get respect

 

[Sunni Man]

I applaud the authorities in Malaysia for protecting their citizens from harm.

This is an example of what a good government should be!!

 

[CSM]

It is really sad that the Muslim religion is so weak it is threatened by yoga or women wearing trousers. Allah must be a very small god indeed.

Actually, I suspect Islam is a fine religion being hijacked by some very small men with a 13th century mentality.

 

[Sunni Man]

They are just protecting their ancient culture from destructive outside influences.

 

[CSM]

They are just protecting their ancient culture from destructive outside influences.

Uh yeah, that's it.

Do you suppose those issuing these edicts protecting their "ancient culture" use electricity? Do you suppose they have computers? What about printing presses or copier machines...do you think they use those? We know some use cell phones (some to detonate IEDs) and they sure don't seem to have any problem using modern technology and techniques to further their own ends. How many of these "protectors of the ancient culture" live in modern homes with modern conveniences? When they start living in camel hide tents and herd goats for a living, I may be convinced they are merely perserving their culture. Until then, I will continue to believe they are backward, close minded control freaks.

 

[Sunni Man]

You are confusing having modern conveniences with morality.

There is nothing wrong with electricty, flush toilets, microwaves, etc.

Living with or without them is neither moral or immoral.

But things like alcohol, porn, women dressing provocitivly, drugs, etc.

Are negative moral influences that can destroy a culture

Big difference!

 

[CSM]

You are confusing having modern conveniences with morality.

There is nothing wrong with electricty, flush toilets, microwaves, etc.

Living with or without them is neither moral or immoral.

But things like alcohol, porn, women dressing provocitivly, drugs, etc.

Are negative moral influences that can destroy a culture

Big difference!

It seems to me that mankind's mind is far more dangerous to these guys than any of that stuff you list.

 

[Ravi]

It is really sad that the Muslim religion is so weak it is threatened by yoga or women wearing trousers. Allah must be a very small god indeed.

Actually, I suspect Islam is a fine religion being hijacked by some very small men with a 13th century mentality.

Good point. Kind of like Christians being threatened by gays.

 

[CSM]

Good point. Kind of like Christians being threatened by gays.

perhaps...and sorta like atheists being threatened by something they don't believe even exists.

 

[Ravi]

perhaps...and sorta like atheists being threatened by something they don't believe even exists.

Perhaps. I can't speak for atheists, but I get the feeling it isn't what they think doesn't exist that threatens them.

 

[chloe]

Malaysians were told by the country's top Islamic council Saturday to avoid yoga because it uses Hindu prayers and encourages a union with God that is blasphemous.

The new ruling comes hot on the heels of another edict against young Muslim women wearing trousers after the council said that by wearing trousers, girls risked becoming sexually active "tomboys."

Yoga banned for Muslims in Malaysia: official

I can understand the hindu prayers thing, since hindus worship many Gods & Goddesses, the tomboy remarkl maybe me laugh out loud....

 

[Sunni Man]

Every culture has a dress code.

In western culture men don't wear dresses or skirts.

(unless you are Scottish and play a bagpipe)

 

[bigdaddygtr]

Good point. Kind of like Christians being threatened by gays.

EXACTLY

 

[CSM]

Perhaps. I can't speak for atheists, but I get the feeling it isn't what they think doesn't exist that threatens them.

EXACTLY!!! Maybe Christians feel the same way.

 

[CSM]

Every culture has a dress code.

In western culture men don't wear dresses or skirts.

(unless you are Scottish and play a bagpipe)

The difference is that in western culture, if a man does decide to wear a dress, he probably wont get his head cut off for doing so by the "pious police".

 

[Sunni Man]

The difference is that in western culture, if a man does decide to wear a dress, he probably wont get his head cut off for doing so by the "pious police".

You are right. He would just get beat up and left tied to a fence to die like Matthew Shepard

 

[CSM]

You are right. He would just get beat up and left tied to a fence to die like Matthew Shepard

Puleeze....no comparison and you know it.

 

[Steerpike]

I applaud the authorities in Malaysia for protecting their citizens from harm.

This is an example of what a good government should be!!

Let me ask you this, Sunni Man:

You say the actions of the Malaysian government are done to protect their culture from outside influences. That may or may not be true, however let's accept that it is. There is no question that outside cultural influences can take root in a culture and thereby change the culture.

If those are the actions of a good government, then would it not stand to reason that actions taken by US or UK officials to stop or at least limit the influence of Islamic culture would be examples of things a "good" government does? For example, instituting or allowing Sharia courts, bending rules regarding driver's licenses and other picture IDs for women in traditional Muslim garb, accomodating Muslim religious tradition in public venues...all of that to one extent or another consists of allowing an outside cultural influence to alter one's existing culture.

So does your applauding of such efforts go both ways, or only when it favors Islam to the exclusion of other cultural traditions?

 

[Sunni Man]

Our collective society and government long ago decided on a freedom of religion policy.

That is our culture and I don't see it changing anytime soon.