A religious edict saps the energy out of yoga enthusiasts in Egypt, where clerics say the 5,000-year-old practice violates Islamic law.
Answering a religious question put forward, Egypt’s highest theological authority called yoga an “ascetic Hindu practice that should not be used in any manner of exercise or worship.”
The undated but recent edict was signed by the mufti, Ali Gomoa.
The edict, published in the pan-Arab daily newspaper Al-Hayat and obtained Sunday by the Associated Press, called the practice of yoga “an aberration” and said mimicking it is “forbidden religiously.”
There is a serious problems with the use — and perhaps the tradition itself — of fatwas, especially when they are given out by a government appointed sheikh. There is not meant to be in Islam, as far as I can tell, an “official fatwa-maker.” This is why Ali Gomaa has occasionally clashed with Al Azhar University, which has a council of scholars that often give out fatwas. But in principle, fatwas can be made by any person, and are usually personal advice given to individuals, not a reflection of government policy (and indeed Egypt has not banned yoga). The problem is that when an idiot or extremist decides that yoga is haram, or that a certain writer has insulted Islam, or that it’s OK to kidnap Americans working in Iraq, it often looks like he’s speaking to all Muslims. Particularly if someone powerful — the state, a fundamentalist group, a university — had decided that this person is entitled to make fatwas.
If it’s any consolation, Muslims don’t have a monopoly on this sort of idiocy; witness the periodic rabbinic edicts against Valentine’s Day or secular New Year celebrations, or the Christian fundies claiming that Harry Potter promotes witchcraft.
I was very interested to hear of this news, initially from Angry Arab’s web site.
I take Yoga classes here in Cairo, and was wondering whether attendance would drop off as a result — most of the class are muhaggabat — but there seem to be as many people as there were before.
So much for the fatwa.
I don’t take yoga myself (although I should) but have many friends who do and one of whom is an instructor. As far as I can tell it had no effect, except perhaps to discourage the pious from doing some stretching…
The state Mufti’s fatwas are not binding on individuals, yes, but within the context of an Islamic state, the state is supposed to enforce them — otherwise there would be no point in appointing one. Nowadays with government-backing Azhar scholars running the show, I don’t really see any point to the exercise.
I don’t know much about yoga, but I don’t see how this would give Muslims a bad name. Whether he is right or wrong, if Muslims don’t want to practise yoga, that’s entirely their prerogative.
For the first time in Egypt and the Middle East, T.E.N Tours Egypt is organizing Egypt’s First International Yoga Festival during the time between March 1 to 7 2006. With an early start for Yoga and Meditation, and with healthy, delicious vegetarian foods, we will offer you a perfect chance for a life giving and renewing break in one of the magical cities on the Red Sea, Hurghada.
Egypt’s International Yoga Festival in brief:
Seminars & Lectures:
Introducing the art of yoga & its benefits , Yoga & Naturopathy , Yogic management for pregnancy , history and philosophy of the science of Yoga ,Hatha Yoga, Jnana Yoga , Raja Yoga , Bhakti Yoga , Karma Yoga, The Contribution of Yoga to the field of physical education , Yoga & Ayurveda ,Importance of Pranayama.
Meditation Rooms:
Meditation Rooms/Tents allow our guests to try various forms to help find inner peace and sanctuary.
Demonstrations:
Yoga demonstrations by some of the leading Yoga experts.
Workshops:
Workshops will be held indoors , outdours , on beach facing the Red Sea ,Mountain & Desert which will include : Yogic management for pregnancy, Yoga postures for beginners , Suryanamsakar, Yoga postures for back pain, Yoga postures for diabetes and gastrointestinal disorders, Yogic management for hypertension, Insomnia, and stress, Yoga Nidra , Yoga postures for the Intermediate level, Anulom-Vilom Pranayama, Practicing of Bhramari Pranayama, Yoga postures for the advanced level,Yogic exercises for overall body flexibility, Relaxation techniques, Yogic Scuba Diving.
Bazaar Exhibitors :
A Bazaar will be held for teacher training, clothing, retreats, music, meditation, nutritional information and products, holidays, courses, mats bags …etc.
Best regards
Faithfully Yours,
Hossam Darwish
General Manager
info@tentours.com
info@Egyptfestivals.com
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http://www.egyptyogafestival.com
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This old Fatwa was a respond on a question that if yoga is to pray for an statues or meditate with chanting for statues like Rama or siva is that Halal for Muslims? and the answer was not about Yoga as a science but as non Islamic practice. Yoga is for all people, nothing about religions. but you can use Yoga meditation and way of chanting to pray for your own relegion. Islam is a YOGA. Yoga is to balance your system to be one with ALLAH. Yoga Federation of Egypt has been presents Islam Yoga by Guruwafaa; Doctor of Yoga, Healing and Metaphysical Science and President of Yoga Federation of Egypt and the founder of Islam Yoga. http://www.egyptyogaart.com. Love, Light, Peace and Blessing. حب ونور وسلام وبركة