Recently, the National Fatwa Council of Malaysia abruptly came under the spotlight of the country when they announced that Yoga, an ancient form of exercise which originated from India, and which has been around in this country for decades, is officially banned among Muslims.

Too Sexy pose for Muslims?

The news immediately triggered anger and rage among moderate and modern muslims in the country, who have embraced Yoga as a form of lifestyle and routine exercise to keep their body fit and slim.

They even angered the Sultans, saying that they should be consulted in matters involving Islam because they are supposed to be the leader of the religion in their respective states.

And the rationale for banning Yoga among Muslims?

According to the report in New Straits Times , “In declaring yoga haram, the council said it could be traced back to Hinduism and concluded that yoga could erode the faith of Muslims.”

Malaysia Boleh!

My sincere congratulations to the Malaysian government for once again proving their Boleh-ness to the whole world by allowing a component governing body to freely make such amendments to the law without constructive discussions and careful analysis beforehand.

And my sincere congratulations too for being such a strong nation in times of turmoil like now. Because while every other country in this world are talking about how to save their weakening economy from crashing, ours still have time to ban yoga.

It is always when the damage has already been done where our leaders would only come out and clarify and mellow things down. A few days after the declaration, our beloved Prime Minister, His Most Respected Grandfather Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, moved to contain the damage that has been done, citing that “Muslims could carry on doing yoga but minus the chanting.”

Erm. You may carry on doing Yoga. But no Chanting. If not I whip your arse.

I think the National Fatwa Council has failed to remember that our Prime Minister is also a big fan of Yoga, and he’s probably a supreme Yogi himself!

Don't Mess with the Badawi Yogananda. And No Chanting.

Our country certainly has the best resources any country could ever ask for, and also a diverse and harmonious multicultural society few other countries can match, but we also certainly have the most unproductive, stubborn, and inconsistent government the world has ever seen.

Because if you are going to ban Yoga because you think that it has spiritual and cultural elements of Hinduism, and it will erode the faith of the believers, then you should also consider banning the following from the Muslims:

Bruce is not a fan of Yoga

1. Kung Fu – Because it contains spiritual and cultural elements of Taoism and Buddhism. And it has also been westernized too, thanks to Bruce Lee.

Has meditational elements when you reach a higher level

2. Taekwondo – Because it also contains meditational elements when you reach high levels of embracement.

Suitable for everyone, including Chimps

3. Karate – Because it has Japanese spiritual and meditational elements too. And why do you want to learn something that chimps can also learn?

My oh my, so what’s left for Muslims to learn?

Muslim Friendly?

Silat???