News Service from House Harris

ASIA: Malaysian Islamic body bans yoga for Muslims

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 AP - Malaysia's top Islamic body fresh from banning tomboys has issued an edict prohibiting Muslims from practicing yoga, saying they could be corrupted by elements of Hinduism in the exercise.

The National Fatwa Council's chairman, Abdul Shukor Husin, said Saturday many Muslims failed to understand that yoga's ultimate aim was to be one witha god of a different religion - an explanation disputed by many practitioners who say yoga need not have a religious element.

"We are of the view that yoga, which originates from Hinduism, combines physical exercise, religious elements, chanting and worshipping for the purpose of achieving inner peace and ultimately to be one with god," Abdul Shukorsaid.

News of the yoga ban prompted activist Marina Mahathir to wonder what the council will ban next: "What next? Gyms? Most gyms have men and women together. Will that not be allowed any more?"

The edict reflects the growing influence of conservative Islam in Malaysia,a multicultural country of 27 million people where the majority Muslim Malays lost seats in March elections.

Malay Muslims make up about two-thirds of the country's 27 million people. About 25 per cent of the population is ethnic Chinese and 8 per cent is ethnic Indian.

The minority ethnic Chinese and mostly Hindu ethnic Indians have been clamouring for more rights.

Analysts say the fatwa could be the result of insecurity among Malay Muslims after their party - in power since 1957 - saw its parliamentary majority greatly reduced in elections because of gains by multiracial opposition parties.

"They are making a stand. They are saying 'we will not give way,"' said OoiKee Beng, a fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore.

Decisions by Malaysia's Fatwa Council are not legally binding on the country's Muslims, however, unless they also become enshrined in national or Shariah laws. But many Muslims abide by the edicts out of deference.

Recently, the council said girls who act like boys violate Islam's tenets. The government has also occasionally made similar conservative moves, banning the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims earlier this year, saying it would confuse Muslims.

AP jfm=0A