Dear Malaysia,
While I don't feel the need to please anyone
and I don't feel contested if your biggest points are,
1. 'Nabi Muhammad dulu tak buat yoga pun, jadi manusia paling sempurna'
as much as I can't help to not rebut, 'because we are not him (peace be upon him),
because we are far than perfect LAH, we have to take care of our body and our mouth; even more'
2. 'Kalau yoga tu menenangkan dan banyak sangat persamaannya dengan solat,
why bother yoga anyway? Sembahyang jelah banyak-banyak'
as much as I want to ask, 'then why are you overweight, unhealthy and full of hatred;
tak sembahyang ke?',
I can't because apparently,
I am not the perfect role model for a Muslim yoga ambassador for Malaysia
nothing I can say can make you change your mind, so
I REST MY CASE.
Accusing someone is murtad or kufur and
deeming a form of effective exercise as sihir
are the most serious Haram acts if not the most cursed sins I KNOW.
Enough that I know that yoga is not a religion,
enough that I know my yoga classes do not incorporate any spiritual chanting or religious activity,
enough that I know yoga is the only exercise that combines stretching, strengthening and balancing,
enough that I know yoga is the only sport that I become my own cheerleader, I set my own rules, I do not have to contest and hurt anyone and that I, break my own record,
and enough that I know I look better, feel healthier and became a better person after my introduction to yoga.
With prayers and infinite hope that
you don't have to see this site be renamed to The (banned) Yo&@ Instructor Diaries
and there be a chance for us to continue our beautiful practice and further our health..
Judging the way things go,
with sadness I know that I don't have to wait for tomorrow
to know.
The Beginning Is The End Is The Beginning
9 months ago
45 comments:
This is the info I got from our fellow STFian who's father is one of the Ahli Majlis Fatwa. It was misquoted by the newspaper that they said Yoga is haram. It was supposed to be meant: As long as there is no 'ohhmmmmmmm' and all that mentera reading while perfoming yoga meditation or exercise, it is OK.
Don't quote me though. But my advice is, try to get info directly from the fatwa people tomorrow, rather than relying on the English media. Sometimes, it is more harm than good lah!
Ninie, good luck and be brave! I hope it is not haram, even if it is in the media (touch wood!), please please get your info directly from the source! Gambate ne!
ninie..whatever happen, u jgn ban ur blog or make it private ye.i always love ur thought provoking anecdotes:)
well... this is something like my gay friend who wears a tudung who asked me on why i dont want to wear one. I mean like hellooo...????!!!!
Oh mini housemate of mine. Fret not for I don't think our people will be THAT stupid. Well, I hope not. Gee...come to think of it, they might be.
Takpe, takpe. Worse comes to worse, ajar karma sutra pulak. That one cardio maaa, summore no chanting one woh :p I kid, I kiiiiiid.
Whatever it is, I'm sure things will turn out to be better for you (and me!).
See you lil monkeys in 10 days.
Hugs from the muscular one who's bored shitless waiting at LCCT.
ninie, dah tahu ker result ?? hmm...penantian suatu penyiksaan weh.
i'm totally agree with u.
those the biggest points above yg u ckp tu,
hanya di di ckp oleh org yg tk nk improve diri sendiri.
way to go ninie.
i pn rasaa, i dont hv to wait for today to knpw to. hehe.
cheers !
Dear Ninie
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Don't give up!
be strong dek..i'm with you..
hugsss...
u r cool ninie =)
Kak Ninie,
Diharap kak ninie bersabar dengan ape yang berlaku. Apa jua keputusan dari majlis fatwa harap kak ninie dan semua yang membaca akan menerima dengan tenang.
Alim ulama dan mufti - mufti kerajaan adalah mereka yang lebih mengetahui tentang hukum-hakam agama. Pada masa ini mereka adalah diantara insan-insan tempat untuk kite merujuk tentang segala persoalan dan kemusykilan persoalan agama dalam kehidupan.
Saya harap sgt kak ninie bersabar dan bertenang. Jikalau terlalu emosi, takut-takut kite akan tersilap langkah.
Haram atau tidak, Diharap kita akan redha dengan keputusan yang akan diumumkan.
Yang benar
7
Sis, Y bother with the Yoga is haram thingy? Membuka aurat is also haram. Tak pakai tudung adalah haram. Bercampur gaul lelaki perempuan adalah haram. bersentuhan sesama yang bukan muhrim pun haram.Interest/riba yang kita dapat daripada bank pun haram. Menyanyi adalah haram bagi perempuan. Berlakon lagi laa haram. Lelaki yang menyerupai perempuan or vice versa juga haram. Rasuah pun haram. Tapi orang buat jer. Ada jer perempuan menyanyi dan disanjung tinggi mcm DATO' Siti Nurhaliza (dapat gelaran Dato' lagi), all the make up artist suma p**d*n tapi bila nak kawen org still kita akan cari diorang jugak for their skills. Politicians pun ada yang amalkan rasuah. Bottom line is, y bother when kita buat jugak benda-benda (at least salah satu drpnya) yang i mentioned above.
anyways, it's just my 2 cents.
I was waiting to visit your studio, but this news came. I know you won't give up, right? Be strong, you are (and will always be) my inspiration and role model.
Agree with F.Idrus.
My friend yg keja kat JAKIM pun ckp paper silap report.Main hentam keromo je.Yg haram klu ada baca mantera bagai sume tu..
oh well, the fatwa announcement has been postponed.. no worries :)
You gave a well balanced comment in Star. Enjoyed your blogs too. My photoblog on yoga also shows the benefits of yoga, even in Iran and muslims around the world, although the latter it is not well documented at all. http://www.aginghippietales.blogspot.com
fidel
Ninie.. stay strong!!
Continue to believe in what Yoga can do for you!!
wow, your letter is in The Star and you are in Thestar TV on the same day!
be seen, be heard and fight for your right, girl! the nation (well, the not shallow ones) are with you.
stay strong.
Ninie my former cikgu yoga tersayang...
This is totally unrelated topic...I baru dpt tengok DVD SATC The Movie (kesian tak kat I?) and I really2 think you give out the same vibes as Carrie Bradshaw (to me at least). Each time when I watch her, I keep on thinking of you!!! Now, happy tak? Miss you, babe. And guess what, I still tak sampai hati nak makan the chocs that I bought for you, still ada kat rumah heheee....
oi apa ni??? i'm just about to start to involve in yoga & these people already make a fuss out of it..bingai betul la!!! banyak benda lain yg patut difikirkan la..shallow btul!
anyway, go girl!..i'm with u!
dont give up ninie! :)
Ninie, i answer for you lah,
1. 'Nabi Muhammad dulu tak buat yoga pun, jadi manusia paling sempurna'
That doesnt mean you should stop learning about the world and whatever good that is in it. You can say, Tun Mahathir 20 tahun jadi PM dia tak buat yoga pun. What does yoga = greatness have to do with anything? Its just a good exercise that is very very beneficial to the body.
2. 'Kalau yoga tu menenangkan dan banyak sangat persamaannya dengan solat,
why bother yoga anyway? Sembahyang jelah banyak-banyak'
Solat is used to pray for god. Yoga is used for exercise. For some odd reason, both have share similarities in movements. Stand, forward bend, curl (sujud), twist... maknanya BUKAN kita patut sembahyang banyak banyak (walaupun solat banyak banyak mmg la bagus, pahala ma) Maknanya, Allah's knowledge can stretch beyond Islam. Allah's presence/existence is beyond just being a muslim. It stretches the whole world and to me, the similarity of yoga and solat (not entirely the same) just shows how Great Allah is and how HE is knowledgable. He knows what is good for us by not telling us that it is good for us. How?
I used to ponder, why in the world we solat like how we do. Why do we have to stand up, kneel and all. Look at the christians, Easy. Kneel, pray, go back. We have to read, recite, give salaam. Why?
My ustaz told me Malaikat Jibrail thought Nabi Muhammad how to pray. Now, guess who would give instructions to Jibrail. Now put two and two together, how beneficial yoga is and how we pray.
My goodness, God has already shown us a way to keep healthy 5 times a day (this is excluding your diet and genetic disease, if you eat nasi kandar 5 times a day, dont bet on yout life you're healthy). God has bestowed with us the knowledge of yoga. Yeah, it was created by yogis but like how I believe, all the goodness in the world comes from God, and we humans just mess it up.. sometimes..
So if yogalike movements is OK for Islam, hence yoga must be good. NOT yoga should substitute praying or the other way around.
If you think solat is enough for health, heck,
Might as well just quit football, ask FAM to packup and all just solat for exercise.
Nope, I'm not ridiculing solat, I'm ridiculing the person who says one can substitute the other.
Peace out
be cool & be strong, ninie!
hmm...postponed lar pulak.
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=369999
Great that you are voicing out. Ur courage and spirit is truly inspiring! I hope all will turn out well.
ha?! nak diharamkan pat malaysia jer?
kalau mcm ni, baik haramkan worldwide. mana ada such thing haram pat malaysia jer, tapi pat india, china, singapore, amerika, timbuktu..hukumnya halal? lol!!
apa sajer lah org org ni...
kalau nak di haramkan, research lah sebetul-betulnya dulu.
:)
Hey Ninie,
I know how much you love Yoga. I also know how much you love your God (Peace Be Upon Him). I just felt so, so sorry that you're put into such a difficult position.
A Malaysia THIS conservative is something I'm not used to. I just hope above all else, common sense shall prevail.
All the best Ninie.
Kenny
i wanted to send you an email with consoling words etc, TATAPI INTERNET KU BENGONG KENA POTONG, INI ADALAH INTERNET RAKAN GUNA SEKEJAP but yeah, be strong (kak) ninie. youve been thru lebih banyak dari ini, saya tahu anda memang tabah dan gigih. kan in the end, everything will be okay, if its not, its not the end. ceh quote ambek kat majalah sekolah.
hugs (yang ikhlas, bukan gedik2 macam hugx mwahxx xo's). akum.
hehe. ... cant help thinking that hanis is so cute.
anyway, sis, nanti call me for masak day. Your F (eh, my F... okay im confused now)is ever ready for you.
I've been following this with bated breath. No matter what the outcome, I will always be a yoga practitioner. The benefit is too much. And Allah will know that I am doing nothing against the aqidah. My mom practices yoga since she was younger, especially during the days when we were still small kids, and it has helped her be fit and keep the stress level down. (and at 61, she is fit, slim, and looks YOUNG. Some people in the 60s, usually overweight, tak boleh bergerak, lots of aches and pains, but not her). Now I am practicing yoga, and I am a better runner, I have more flexibility, better posture, and, most importantly, automatic deep-breathing reaction to stress, seriously. Everytime panic attack, I noticed that I automatically do deep breathing, an outcome of 1 hr of yoga at least 2-3 times a week. I've seen and could feel how much you are suffering. I know it's not much, but I would like to give you a big, long hug, from the heart.
The whole issue here is POWER. These guys make stuff up (at the end of the day, God didn't come down and give them instructions, did He?) not because there's a logical reason for it, but because it is a way of manipulating and controlling others.
It's pointless to even argue with these people, because what they say is not based on reason but whatever is in their interest to maintain their sense of power.
It's not even a point about yoga.
The same points have been or could be made about martial arts, for example.
In fact if you take this to its logical conclusion there are a whole load of other things that should be ''haram'' for the same reasons cited against yoga.
The word ''puasa'', for example, comes from Sanskrit.
Before Islam arrived in Malaysia, Hindus and Buddhists would fast for religious reasons, and the Sanskrit word stuck.
sayang,no words.
Just a huge big hug.
I will always support you ninie. Go for it! =)
hi ninie, ive been following your blog for quite sometime. id like to compliment you on how brave you are dealing with all this hype on haramkn yoga and all dat. im with you all the way on your arguments on the benefits of yoga.but after thinking about the whole unpretty issue on haramkan or not haramkn yoga, i think the whole reason why these ppl from this religious organization is being hard on yoga (n you too) is becasue of the image that you portray whilst doing/ practicing yoga. i think they're being defensive n feel a bit uncomfortable seeing you in your sports wear. i think, in my mind, they are afraid dat with more ppl doing yoga, more ppl will be a little less aware of their limitations in terms of aurat. i think that is the whole point.
one more thing, im sure these ppl have done some research..seeing the various yoga positions and all dat..naturally, them coming from the religious sort of job, wud feel obliged to feel uncomfortable n perhaps a little worried about the progression of yoga among muslims.itu je.diorng risau kot.rather then be lenient about yoga, they decide to be terus uncompromising psl yoga.
i honestly think if them and their families were given the chance to experience yoga, i honestly believe dat not only them but their family members wud feel the benefits of yoga in their lives.
i rase sgt yg ape yg diorng buat tu (iaitu haramkan yoga) is rash. i pun agk pasti yg the ultimate discomfort diorng tu is just ttg attire.. klau psl positions tu, rasenye tk perlu laki dgn perempuan pun boleh kan.. so dat bit's settled.. but its got to be the pakaian.
n from their discomfort on the attire n mybe on positions tu yg diorng terus stereotype yoga as a new form of social ill..
you just continue with your yoga ninie, kalau tk , takan ade org melayu yg boleh yakinkan n buktikan kebaikan yoga. sumone must start something especially if dat sumthing is sumthing good like yoga. biase lah tu, org2 yng komen sane sini. tp ape yng u buat-membudaykn cara hidup yng sihat- is something good.. so keep it up.. satu je benda yg kene consider, n is prolly the attire thingy.. tu je.. i want to apologize if i hurt your feelings. hope u can think abt wat i think is the core of the issue.
sincerely, aimi syazana
Instead of 'yoga', perhaps we should just call it 'relaxation exercise' from now on.
Though I'm unaffected as a non-Muslim, but I felt such a big disappointment with this whole issue... Be strong, we'll always back you up :) Ignore those narrow-minded person, they can't differentiate between stretching and religion!
Best wishes
*linked form kennysia's blog*
when i attended yoga classes, the instructor will tell us to meditate. we think of Allah lah ... and just do wirid, or tak pon, just relax your mind, takyah do what the hindus do. (haiyoh, we don't have to do those things that are against islam lah ... like chanting or even saying "ommmm")
ya important, our nawaitu must be lillahi ta'ala...
kalau mcm ni, swimming for muslim pon nak kena diharamkan, gymnastic for muslim pon nak kena diharamkan...filem malaysia pon nak kena diharamkan sbb ada adegan peluk antara bukan muhrim, dato' siti (maaf ye, saya tau ini takde kena mengena, tapi contoh saja) pon nak kena diharamkan, sbb dia pakai tudung tak betol.
senang cakap, semua patut diharamkan di malaysia supaya ia akan menjadi sebuah negara islam yg MAJU.
sekian, terima kasih.
I'm posting this comments from another blogger for all to ponder...
1. Members of the Majlis Fatwa are selected from scholars of various disciplines of Islamic knowledge such as Hadith, Qur'an, Fiqh, Usuluddin etc.
2. Fatwas are not issued for fun.
3. A Fatwa is needed for issues where its halal or haram is not directy mentioned in the Qur'an.
4. A Fatwa is the interpretation based on the knowledge and understanding of an issue in a particular time, and place. So a Fatwa can change as an issue is better understood by way of research, or sudden inspiration. Since our life evolves around new things, we will certainly need Fatwas from time to time.
5. A Fatwa is a way out for those who do not wish to push the limit of 'harus' to the maximum. He or she prefers to remain safe from 'syubhah' or associating themselves with something that is close to being haram.
e.g: Majlis Fatwa has issued a decision on cigarette. It's haram based on medical reasons of the day and statistics i.e people who smoke are more prone to getting cancer compared with those who don't. So if you smoke it's like you're subjecting your body to getting cancer, which is close to suicide, which is haram.
If you wish to smoke, it's all right because Qur'an doesn't mention anything about smoking. As far as Qur'an is concerned you can smoke the whole cigarettes in the ciggy factory if you want. And you can still argue with God that since it's not mentioned in the Qur'an you figure it's all right to smoke.
But for those who wish be closer to Allah - they may chose not to smoke based on this Fatwa.
(Not a big deal - the choice is yours)
Members of Majlis Fatwa is made up of liberal-minded individuals with exceptional intelligence that Allah has given them. They have more open discussions than what you have accused them of here. They've had discussions with M. Nasir on lyrics, music and such. They've had discussion with gays and homosexuals. They don't have to tell you about this.
A Fatwa (yet to be issued) on Yoga is in the process of being discussed. You can bet your left ear that by the time they're done with it, they will have understood Yoga better than the most senior Yogi the bear.
The Majlis Fatwa, like the rest of Majlis Fatwa in other Islamic countries, have issued thousands of Fatwas for matters you may consider trivial, but a big deal to those who want to be close to Allah and do not wish to commit 'syubhah'.
That's what Islam is about. It's about obtaining the 'redha' from Allah because you know everything you do here, will be questioned in the hereafter.
Of course, a great many Muslims do not really think that the hereafter is a big deal and so it doesn't really matter to them whether or not Allah 'redha' for all their actions here.
One of the signs that you don't care all that much about Allah is when you feel uncomfortable with the sound of people reading the Qur'an. Or people talking about Qur'an. Instead you make it your mission to point all the 'flaws' in the Qur'an so that you have this thing in your heart whispering; if Qur'an is perfect, then how come Allah has imposed so much rules on women like tudung.
And you have this doubt in your heart that Qur'an is not the ultimate truth, which is why you don't read it every day. Besides you don't speak Arabic. Since you're the type who understand what you read, you figure there's no point in reading the Qur'an. But you forget, people have read Qur'an for more than a thousand years and a great many of them don't understand a word what it means but yet, they find it beautiful.
This blows your mind away. Which is why you figure; I'm a Muslim but I'm a thinking Muslim. Which why you figure you don't need HIDAYAH.
It's just a Fatwa. Not a big deal. You may choose to follow. You may choose not to follow. You may choose to make Yoga your way of life because it is just a form of exercise. Or you may choose to sing songs in a church because you figure, it's just a song.
Each will answer before Allah our action. There's no force in Islam?
You go girl! we all know that yoga have nothing to do with religious issues. I personally support you all the way even though Im a non-muslim and not practising yoga.
I dun think they reli thought about this issue deeply before announcing it. This will be a disgrace to foreigners in their eyes. I can see it. I was ashamed by this announcement. I wonder what will this country's image looks like in other countries. Very dissapointing.
Pegilaa jumpe tok mufti and terangkan sendiri, asyik tulis kat blog jer x boleh turn the table....silakan debat ngan diorang
Dear Ninie :)
Never give up in what you believe is right because it is your choice whether or not who deems it to be wrong or right.When religion is brought into everything by these incompetent and inconsiderate people,ignore them and go about what you do when you know the people will be behind you.Don't give these fools the attention-they don't deserve nothing from no one.
Yoga FTW,
Ryan.
hi ninie! im one of ur avid readers! i still do practice yoga..and i love it! i tink this haram thing is NONSENSE lah..
lucky i'm not a malaysian hehehe...not saying malaysia is bad la but sometimes hal ehwal agama ni melampau... i love ur food though! ahhaha
salam.
i was wondering about this issue myself and i even wrote an entry in my blog when my friend directed my to you, the practicing/instructing yogi herself. can u spill some of your opinion at my place so that the knowledge can be spread?
thanks!
y wan to make a fuzz on Yoga? i really don understand with this f**king majlis majlis thingy...Heloo...yoga is not going to tell ppl to blew up world trade center...is a form of exersice....there is only One God we are praying for but we human are so confused....!
i think u shud shrug off all hateful comments, because u know who u are, what u fighting for and what u r doing. yoga is so harmless...
ur yoga dont involve any mantra or chanting so dont worry much..
people always tembak at first sight. baca dulu, pahamkn and baru la nk tembak kot ye pon...
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
Post a Comment