Fatwa against yoga
Nov 24, 2008 News Breaks
Expecting a backlash from Malaysians on the decision, Shukor reminded non-Muslims not to question the fatwa.
“We respect the harmony and freedom of practice of other races. This is not something for non-Muslims to interfere in or question as this matter involves Muslims and their faith. (From NST)
Since there is a reminder, I shall not say much about the issue. So, why don’t you click here instead.
And here are just some of the many reports in the papers over the past couple of days.
In case you don’t know what I am not talking about, the National Fatwa Council has declared yoga as haram for Muslims in Malaysia. The Hindu Sangham has asked for the Council to be more “sensitive”, while cancer survivors are not happy. The Perak Religious Department said that they will abide by the Fatwa, while The Star just sent an SMS news alert stating that the Sultan of Selangor has said that ban in his state has yet to be implemented as it has not been brought before the state fatwa committee.
Also, Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zaid Hamidi has asked non-Muslim NGOs not to challege the Council’s credibility. Meanwhile, Malaysiakini reports that MIC President Datuk Seri Samy Vellu said that he will meet with PM Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to discuss the yoga ban.
1.37pm Malaysian time (+8 GMT)
Tags: fatwa, Islam, malaysiakini, Malaysian, nasional fatwa council, new straits times, The Star, yoga
Fatwa on tomboys
Oct 24, 2008 Rantings
In today’s Page 3 of The Star, a Bernama article headlined Fatwa on tomboys:
The National Fatwa Council has ruled that tomboyism, where a girl behaves or dresses in a boyish manner, is forbidden in Islam.
Its chairman Datuk Dr Abdul Shukor Husin said the decision was prompted by recent developments as there had been cases of young women inclined to behave like men and indulging in homosexuality.
Sigh. Let’s not even go into the studies that have found that being a tomboy does not indicate a person’s sexual identity.
But when you think about how crime is high, and corruption is rife. And the amount of cases of murder, rape and molestation - surely there are more important things to focus on.
12.38pm Malaysian time (+8 GMT)
Tags: fatwa, homosexuality, tomboy
