I thank you for your kind mention in your blog
and for your supportive comment in mine.
Those felt like warm hugs I really needed in this time of trial.
I am only human
blessed with love around me,
extra flexibility in my body and
an online space in where I share my happiness and heartbreaks.
Being a daughter to a man who used to serve the country's biggest Malay newspaper for over 30 years, I have never underestimated the power of media. JAKIM themselves confessed that their statement was manipulated by newspapers and only ONE of the muftis dared to state out loud that 'it is Haram and there is no reason and no question to why it should be banned' to the press.
I tried, Kenny.
I tried,
.. to voice out and enlighten my nation by writing to
every major newspaper I know with the same letter
but what can I do and what can I say
if my letter only made it to English newspapers
while the Bahasa ones chose to print letters stressing
"Jadi mengapa perlu yoga, jika kita solat lima waktu sehari semalam"
(by the same newspaper that used to make me and my yoga their cover just last year)
and another plastered these as their main 'variation' last Saturday.
What else can I do and who else could I turn to
when 99% percent of the hate-comments and personal attacks
left in my blog are in my beloved and highly-respected Bahasa bangsa?
I am done with being mad.
Leaving me with being sad,
tad too sad,
.. over MY failure to understand the system,
over ME not understanding what makes it so hard for them to understand
that I am simply trying to share what worked for me
and what changed me to being someone healthier.
I know you'd understand me, Kenny
and may I thank you again for your time and kindness.
See you around sometime.
In love and in light,
Ninie Ahmad
M | 601X 2X2X 810
"Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured,
and endure what cannot be cured."
~ B.K.S. Iyengar
36 comments:
show us the comments!
we want *dum dum* Comments *dum dum* we want *dum dum* comments.
Dear Ninie,
I hope everything will be alright (for you and for the future of yoga in our country). I may not be a yoga practitioner but I have heard of its benefits from people of various backgrounds.
I hate to admit this but clearly, there's something wrong with these people, trying to ban yoga. How crappy...
anon 1:
Although I apply moderation, I actually do and have published most of the hate-comments and personal attacks except those attacking other bloggers :)
anon 2:
Thank you for your kindness too. May the benefits of yoga come to you soon :).
in a bid to help turn the tide:
terus bertahan ninie, memang selalunya tidak mudah berada di pihak yang benar!
ok, my bahasa might suck, but i hope u get what i mean. u have my full support!
love,
warga upten
xoxo
hi nini, im very touch by your relentless endevour to defend something that u believe strongly in as opposed to most of us who, when faced in the same quandary, will probably just bising for 5 mins, then "buat muka tak tau", then ignore and continue with what we're doing in the first place.
hang in there and even if some stupid fatwa went through to be approved, it'll not be the end of the world. there are a lot of ppl who knows better out there.
i'll keep my fingers crossed for all the best for you.
You know what will really piss of the Fatwa council? A tomboy yoga instructor. Now that will really get the Fatwa's council's blood boiling.
The fatwa council is only interested in the 'isu remeh-temeh'. Tomboys, Yoga, skirts... if they wanted to be serious, issue a fatwa banning smoking. Lets see if the Fatwa council really care about the health of Muslims.
The Malay print media doesn't want to piss of its readers by going against the Ulamas. They pretend to be pious but their entertainment section is full of useless gossip about artists. Lets see the Fatwa council banning gossip mags too.
:) *hugs*
we are in a country riddled by shallow-minded fools, it's easy to get knocked down. but don't let them take you out.
kalo berani...publishla comment aku. Kalo kau marah sekali pun...ingat yang kau marah2 ni majlis fatwa...mufti2...orang bijak pandai agama. Kite ni sume pandai sgt?
Ukur baju di badan sendiri.
Suara Malaysia
Hi! I chanced upon your blog through Kenny Sia's and I have to say that I thought the whole issue is ridiculous. I know yoga started as a religious practise. However, it has evolved because not everyone wants to be a Buddhist but they just might want to practise the healthy steps of yoga.
As a Muslim, I always thought of our religion is being very tolerant. However, there are some people out there who are not. Apa guna sembahyang 5 kali sehari kalau dah dengki sangat dengan orang lain and their ways?
But whatever it is, you have my full support and I really feel sorry for those people who never gave yoga a chance.
I don't understand melayu much (my mum's a terrible market malay user, and we are chinese) - but I sure as hell can't find anything religious about yoga other than bringing peace to your body and soul (as how my dad explains it).
looks like you are not alone though:
http://ahanintheafternoon.blogspot.com/2008/10/aiyaaaaa-yoga-is-haram-now.html
jangan kelam kabut ninie...selagi belum di wartakan sebagai haram maka u boleh continue practicing your yoga...
if just the word of 'yoga'that make them so concerned about halal and haram...tukar saja namanya..senaman minda ker..yogurt ker..gayo ker..apa-apalah..
fatwa dibuat berdasarkan dalil dan ijtihad(rumusan dari para ulama pro and cont)...dalam al quran tak ada dalil yang mengatakan yoga haram atau halal...hadis nabi juga tak ada yang mengatakan yoga halal atau haram..
para sahabat juga tak pernah merumuskan yoga halal atau haram...seterusnya ke zaman salafus salihin..kerana apa..kerana yoga tidak pernah di bentangkan di hadapan mereka..
di abad ini..yoga tersebar ke seluruh pecahan bumi..dan malaysia pun bukannya satu-satunya negara islam yang ada pengamal yoga..
seandainya ulama malaysia memfatwakan haram, kena tunggu juga apa pendapat ulama dari negara islam lain..mesir misalnya..boleh rujuk juga dengan pendapat Yusuf Al Qardawi yang lebih terbuka dan universal..
Jangan risau ninie...halal dan haram adalah hak mutlak Allah taala...kebenaran itu seumpama cahaya...sekecil manapun cahaya itu ia tetap akan menembusi kegelapan..
Ninie, its so sad to hear this. Know that you have worked every cell in that body of yours to fight for what you (and so many others behind you) know what's right. I hope one day, sooner rather than later, their minds will be open to try just a few minutes of it and see that yoga has nothing to do with any religion. Big hugs, Ninie. I wish you all the best!
Ps. don't stop fighting just because they have come to the decision. Fight till you get what you want.
xx, Manz
Ninie, those people who say such things about yoga... it's just pure rubbish. Don't give up. You have my full support :)
A cat who does Yoga as well,
neko.
maybe its time to start showing what yoga is about, and how it can be beneficial. perhaps 'showing' that its an exercise to the people may help.
You can write about the technical aspects of yoga and the physical fitness part.
Hope this helps.
Go for it, Ninie!
Hi Ninie,
I came to know your inspiring story back in the Nescafe days and I still think you are a winner through and through, even today. I know you will never let go of this beautiful gift of yoga, no matter what fleeting fancy the media is having on this issue at the moment. In no time, they will be probably banning prana practice as well "just because..."
It is in times of great adversity that the beauty of what's true and tested blooms. Bask in the union of your soul, spirit, mind and body in your daily yoga practice. There is a movement with you. Many of us practice it, live it, think about it, contemplate about it. Every dhristi connects one of us to you.
By the way, I've listed your site as one of my favs on my blog. So I am definitely still spreading your good word! :) xoxo
salam,
apa laa nak sedih sangat.
u as a practitioner, and as u claim tak menggunakan segala jenis ritual yg ada dalam yoga then terus laa praktik. Kan dikatakan kalau ianya purely as exercise then hukumnya harus. Tapi buat laa adjustment supaya ianya tak menyerupai perbuatan cara menyembah org hindu.
Kalau ada yg menyerupai hinduism seperti letak tangan tu then adjust supaya cara letak tangan itu more islamik. So hinduism memang guna cara tekap dua tangan tersebut dlm penyembahan mereka. So tukar kepada cara islam menggunakan cara org sembahyang meletakkan tangan atas satu sama lain. Now, bab seakan menyerupai ini, jangan dipandang rendah terutama kalau ada alternatifnya.
kemudian, masa meditation itu, apa yg difikirkan oleh medidator. Now tukarkan kepada meditation itu kepada full concentration dengan berdoa. pelajari doa doa Rasullullah yg mathur dan baik untuk dipraktikan dlm exercise meditation tersebut kerana islam itu ada ilmunya dalam setiap benda.
So u need to go to drawing board to study apa yg dibahaskan oleh majlis fatwa. I pun tak berani mengatakan senang senang u dipihak yg benar, kerana org yg buat fatwa pun bukan main hentam kromo aje. You need to respect their process of doing it. They have their own source of information. Those yg tak respek majlis fatwa akan menganggap majlis fatwa as hentam keromo sahaja.
well..you certainly can continue but adjust accordingly within the limit of do and dont of the rules and regulation of islamic practices.
I know ur client bukannya semua muslim tapi tidak kah boleh pakaiannya di adjust supaya lebih sopan.
look at the bright side Ninie: without JAKIM in your way and the big hoohaa they created, people like me would never be exposed to the world of yoga. I'm interested to know more about it now. :)
I'm definitely going to give it a go at my gym. I think they're offering yoga lessons there. I'm not sure if I can handle the contortions though. I don't think I'm flexible enough. Can't even touch my toes without grimacing. Any advice for inflexible novices like me?
Ams
I really feel sad for you. Please persevere. I can't believe we're still living in the dark ages. Sigh.
p/s to everyone against ninie: Yoga is not a religion. dumba*s
Ninie, orang (melayu) selalu prejudis pada rupa. If our outlook (appearances) does not conform to what they thot acceptable (religiously or culturally), they'd think whatever we do is wrong and shouldn't be followed.
I might be crucified for my sheer boldness here, but I tell you, IF you dress the part of a good Muslim (in the way they understood), they would be more supportive of you, in fact, I am not even surprised if they actually listened to your plea that Yoga is not haram.
But I am a true believer on don't judge a book by its cover. They are more sinister people in this world that hides behind the name of a religion. God bless you Ninie and I know for a fact that He is because God is not prejudiced, that is something a lot of people forgets. :)
Gambate nei!
dear ninie,
as much as i support Malaysia for trying to be forward looking, i can't help but be embarrassed with the fact that out nation's leaders, in fact cannot distinguish between what is an exercise and what is religion. i am at doubt, if Malaysia will EVER be developed in their mind set. being religious, is totally different from taking care of our health. it is an individual's prerogative to indulge in an form of exercise which does not demean a person's religion.
from some comments here, i am truly sad, that there are people out there who has such a shallow mind to be stuck-up, easily manipulated and simply childish in their thinking. for those of you who claim yourselves to be such a pious person, who prays diligently, please do reflect upon yourselves, with such words of condemning someone who does the society benefit a a certain way, have you yourself ever did anything good to your health, let alone, have you ever been good your entire life? such hypocrisy! you condemn other people's practice, but you use your own words to belittle people.
perhaps, with the benefit of doubt, MAYBE, these people consider it haram in terms of exposed clothing. if, aurat is really being properly tutup, then MAYBE, it may not be so "illegal and indecent" after all.
i share your pain. our nation will never progress with such meagre mentality.
all the best.
xoxo
Ninie,
I knew you thru Kenny Sia blog. Like thebanker, I would also encourage you to be strong, you did nothing wrong. Just that people have not much to do, trying to find fault in others. Just be strong.
uve been strong enuff till now, and u can for the time to come:)
be strong babe:)
Hi Ninie,
I am a Malaysian studying in Australia and this issue has came upon me when I was looking through the online news. Don't be discouraged with what people say or even let them stop you from doing what you love most. I'm sure you have people all around you telling you the same thing but nothing is worse than having some religous beat you down. You have my support and I wish you all the best on your endeavour and never give up what you love!
hello, i'm a singaporean malay girl and also a member at True Yoga here. as far as i know, yoga isnt haram because it doesnt use any other religion's prayers or whatnot. then again, malaysia has always been stricter when it comes to Islamic rules than the MUIS council here. so maybe, we all should seek the Quran to decide?
best of luck
yoga is not a religion, it's a healthy practise. so are meditation, qigong and taichi. we're in a 21st century people, you can't lock ourselves behind the coconut shell forever
if they ban the muslims from practising yoga in malaysia u should just go to singapore and practise there then! stupid fellas, they cant even differentiate religious practise from a body workout!
dear ninie,
be strong in times like this and believe in yourself. going by other muslim countries' fatwa and stand against yoga i doubt if they are going to decide that's its haram here.
Dear ninie,
Pls stop approving comments that is attacking the majlis fatwa, alim ulama and the mufti.. such comments saying that they dont know anything, they are shallow...dumb2 or anything is a dissapointment. If u approved it, it shows that as a Muslim u do not respect the people who are the place for 'rujukan persoalan agama'. This will reflect to the perception of Kafir people to the Muslim.
Pls go and seek their opinion, explanation...They are willing to help.
we are afraid that the blog that u write about how unhappy, sad, or mad, will somehow shows to the kafir how weak we r as a muslim and our faith to ALLAH SWT. It shows that we do not have the UKHWAH spirit and is easily break for such issues.
There is a freedom to write and speak, but there will be none after it is done.
Can u see what happened around us ninie! Islam is judge as PENGGANAS!
Suara Malaysia
Ninie,
Do not give up yet. There are many among us who believe that yoga is a healthy practice
I understand Ninie's frustration. It is not just Yoga, you'll find the same thing happening in other "Arts". I guess it is up to the practitioner to judge if the "Art" they're learning fall into the spiritual category or is just plainly physical and mental. I kid you not when you hear of foreigners practicing Japanese Arts that require bowing (and other stuffs)and respecting the founders. They are of different religion background and yet they indulge in this ritual. It is all about their mindset. It doesn't mean they disrespect God and they worship idols. The relevant authorities/ departments should send personnels over to experience it themselves. Investigate. Don't just follow the Holy book. With due respect, there is nothing wrong with the concerns, but please be flexible in knowing what is right and what not.
Ninie,tolong jgn tapis all d comment.Nmpak sgt awak nk yg baik2 je dlm blog awk
''if they ban the muslims from practising yoga in malaysia u should just go to singapore and practise there then! stupid fellas, they cant even differentiate religious practise from a body workout!''
TOTALLY AGREE
hi ninie.
just do whatever ure doing, and leave those hypocrites with whatever their problems are.
i wish u all best darl!
xoxo
With this, I end my allowance of approving EVERY comment at this blog.
However you see it,
to me I was just conducting social experiment of how people love taking advantage of kindness and freedom of opinions.
I got my conclusion, alright
and I'm happy to end it here.
If there's any you need me to answer personally, drop them at ninie.ahmad@gmail.com. My apology in advance if I might take time in replying.
Peace, love and light,
The Yoga Instructor
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