Long time Muslim yoga instructor expresses shock over UKM lecturer's statement

GEORGE TOWN, PENANG: A long-time yoga instructor has expressed shock and dismay over statement by a Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) lecturer who said that practising yoga could cause Muslims to deviate from the teachings of Islam.

Datin Suleiha Merican, 56, who has been practising yoga for 40 years, said the meditation technique is a science of health and had nothing to do with religion.

"When we are strong in our faith, why would we want to deviate? The professor's statement is totally uncalled for," she said.

Suleiha was commenting on Prof Zakaria Stapa's statement that yoga could be traced back to Hinduism and that practising it could cause Muslims to deviate from the teachings of Islam.

Zakaria, who is from the Faculty of Islamic Studies, also urged Muslims who are practising yoga to stop it and return to the teachings of Islam.

Suleiha said she still diligently performed prayers every day despite practising yoga.

"There is no conflict at all as yoga is not religion-based. There is no problem. I would definitely encourage Muslims to practise yoga," she said.

Suleiha said yoga was the answer to health problems, such as headaches and back pain. She noted that hospitals in the United Kingdom and United States offerred yoga as an alternative therapy.

"Every part of the world I have gone to there are Muslims who practice yoga practitioners, for instance in Iran," she said.

Suleiha, who runs the Maya Yoga Studio in Damansara Perdana, said yoga ran in the family as her father and her grandfather were also yoga instructors.

It was reported that the national fatwa council is also expected to announce its stand on Muslims practising yoga soon.

The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) deputy director-general of operations, Othman Mustapha, was quoted as saying that an announcement on the decision would be made by the council soon.

Melissa Darlyne Chow
NST Online
30/10/08