http://archives.thestar.com.my/last365days/default.aspx?query=yoga+ban
So…
On the Yoga ban…I’m sure all of the people in our country have heard of this.I decided to write because I can’t stop thinking about it.Oh my…I’ve a hard time to write this,because it’s a sensitive issue.
Well,I’ll go straight to my point.
What I’m trying to say here is that,why’s all the fuss on this Yoga ban?Why’s all the drama?It’s a Fatwa,that is that.I’m okay with the fact that many non-muslims are disagreeing/voicing out about the matter,but what gets me is that,why Sisters In Islam(SIS)??The whole bunch of professional women in SIS know is only and only to critic their own religion.
In polygamy,in dress code/aurat thing,now yoga?Do they know that all these problems,Islam really have the answer?Do they know that some of their statements that were published in the local newspapers were really just shallow remarks to Islam?
One example,
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/11/23/nation/2625368&sec=nation
I don’t place any other example,go find it in their homepage/newspapers.All they know is to look down on religion.It’s insulting.Really damn insulting.The fact that they’re a famous NGOs is not good too.Saying statements with that status,what the other religion will think of Islam?That Islam is a controlling religion,’forcing’ their follower to edict this and that,discriminate women,and that religion(in general) is outdated??It was like all muslims(esp women) are agreeing with them.I really don’t get it.When it comes to Islam says this and that,SIS automatically ticked off-Everything isn’t good,everything is wrong/prone to wrong doings,everything is belittling women,everything needs reconsideration when Islam calls upon something.Why is that attitude,really?Do they really standing up for muslim women,or just stand up for the professional,forever-right,better-than-everyone members/followers?There are times,many times actually,that SIS is doing a great job at fighting for human right like their surveys,campaigns to highlight women problems to the public,many efforts regarding the Family Law,domestic abuse etc.All for the sake of women.It’s great.
But their way of saying/viewing religious issues really funny.It makes me think of their professional status.In http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24706281-12377,00.html,
“…in fact all it means literally is just an opinion.”
Just an opinion,you say?The thing that are made by highest council of muslims,whose members are religious people,thinkers,professionals,and has gone under extensive researches,spent time and energy to do,and by history and Islam were already implemented long before and proven to be good for muslims,deduced from Quran and hadiths,and then suddenly it’s just an opinion?What a pile of bollocks,SIS.Being a professional in their respective fields doesn’t mean they can look down on their own religion in any way.
“I hope they can focus their attention on bigger and more pressing issues, such as money politics and corruption. Isn’t that more serious?”
Yes,I agree.Money politics in our country is always the viral plague affecting the Malaysian government.Government really sucks by letting this gone off without justice to the wrong doers.It’s true that these suckers in government never really gotten into trouble while practicing money politics and many injustice to people just because of their status and their money.Right,I get it.But when suddenly the Fatwa comes out next time (about any issues) ,I’m sure these kind of people will never shut up.They’ll still say National Fatwa Council should look to other issues,and then when Fatwa comes out at yet another issue that the public mentioned before,the people still yell back at Fatwa to stop interfering with their lives,and to look at another ‘big’ issues.And it happen again,and again,and again.This is really about the matter that the people hate any critics,any guide on how to live their lives.In Islam,everything is already guided,you just have to follow it faithfully and then there shouldn’t be any problem,except ujian dan dugaan Tuhan.And do these people know that Aqidah is the utmost important thing to address before anything else by the Fatwa?Maybe it’s not important to them about what Fatwa grounds on.Don’t let your political belief to stand between you and your religion.Because religion is always more important than anything else.Life will be a big wreck if you live without religion(for the believers) more than you live without political parties.
And to live without guidance from any religious body in the country?What kind of muslim will you be,when no one can touch you,no one to make rules?We can’t just banned out critics/guidance/advice that are meant for us.There might be something right in it,not because the people who said it are famous/important people of the country,but because they’re the voice of the religion.Same like when our mother nag at us on our bad behaviour.It’s frustrating to hear they nag,but hey,it’s for our good.And what the religion says,applies.Without no questions,of course.So,it’s kind of ‘forcing’ to some people.But then again,it IS for your good,people!Try and think about it.Islam will never be any kind of force to people who really embraces the good reason on why Allah tells you to do.Anything is not a restriction when you adhere to it dengan rela hati.
About the polygamy issue.I live in polygamous family,and believe me when I say it’s NEVER easy,for anyone of us in the family.But it still nowhere near to blame Islam for allowing men to practice polygamy.When a muslim husband abused his wives in any way(physically/emotionally),punish the husband.Why punish the religion??I really can’t accept this.And SIS always talks their grounds to be on basic human right,but to some extent which they usually breach,it seems that they care more about power,control,status,free-thinking,independence of the women(like them).What they are saying,shows their proud stand that Islam is unfair to women,and that Islamic Syariah Law is inadequate to address muslim women issues.
And the problem is,with SIS,any improvement still can’t measure up to their demands.Sometimes they’re right,but I’m annoyed by the way it is said,and voiced out to the public to hear.Very shallow.And what’s next on their list?Agreeing to women being Imam to men in prayers?Islam always protecting women,never uderestimating us.I never felt like an attacked prey or favourite target living as a muslim woman.May Allah instill this in me for the rest of my life.SIS says that the Yoga ban will not cancelled their Yoga classes and that they had no problems continuing it.Hah.There they are,not affected by anything Fatwa has to say,or literally what the religion has to say.Not even a word to consider,or to think of any good in the Fatwa.Even Yoga teacher Datin Siti Suheila Merican agreed that yoga practice should not involve worshipping and chanting.At least,she IS thinking.
I don’t know much about Yoga to post anything agree or against it,but I do know that it’s proven great for human health.And I even considered to practice some Yoga before for health purposes.The basic moves is okay to practice,it’s just the advance one that is considered by National Fatwa Council to be some kind of threat to muslim’s faith.
About the Sultans questioning the procedure of implementing Yoga ban as a state law.Some are saying congratulations to the Royals for speaking out about this.But I had a good laugh.Since when the Royals are doing anything for the public?Some of them,yes.But one can’t deny the fact that the Royals are just symbols.I’m not saying that Malaysia should abolish the power of the Royals,no that’s not what I mean.It’s just appears comical to me that some people applauding the Royals,and attacking the National Fatwa Council of insulting the sistem beraja,insulting Malays in general.Since when the people are interested in backing up the Royals?When in situations like someone from other country saying sistem beraja is rubbish,then that is understandable,and very logical.But in Fatwa implementation?Must be someone who thinks shallow on religious matters.It is required by the law,right,it’s true.But the way they were saying it was like the Fatwa is so not good and forceful,that it intently abide the rules in it’s urge to control every act of muslim lives.
What the muslim Yoga practitioners must do now,is to think about it,spare some thought,and not just throw away what the Islam important guys have to say.Think neutrally and don’t be clouded by any unnecessary thoughts.And if it really is Haram,then find altenatives.Like what Perlis Mufti spoke out against the yoga decision and said Muslims could follow a non-religious version of the popular exercise.I agree on this.I think to consider allowing muslims to practice the simpler moves is good.But who am I to know?Let’s gave that part to the concerning bodies,as they should be the experts.And there’s a letter(25th Nov 2008) in The Star suggesting Pilates as alternative too.So,all will end well,hopefully.
I think i can accept the fact that some non-muslims were disagreeing.Those who vociferous,hatred,speaking out with great emotions often from within the muslim community,further showing to the world that they just take themselves too seriously to care.It’s not that SIS is so bad.I just hope that the leader will toned down the way she voiced out religious issues,and to think wisely before speaking out.Because religious issues are not the same as economic or weather issues where science and logic always the best to apply.This is the only thing that we’ve to accept something not made by human,something outside our ability to think on how it is made.It’s not a matter to be questioned.But do remember that it’s open for discussion.You just have to channel it right.Not by indicating that religion always preying on women.Or it’s followers.Because it’s really not,when you look deep into it.
And National Fatwa Council is not always good,either.But I do know and believe they’re the right people to touch this issue.Not the general public who have zero knowledge on Islam or Fatwa.Or maybe Yoga.I also agree that they should address political animals out there,but if they’re missing them,then it’s their responsibilty,not us.Our responsibility as muslims is to understand and learn more on Islam,before scrutinizing someone.
I’m a woman,but never in my life that I would like SIS to stand up for me.I disagree with some of their stands but still,this is not in any way belittling the good efforts done by SIS.SIS isn’t my sisters in Islam,yet.At least to me.
Islam always doing something for the good of it’s believers.I guess the word says it all.If you believe,you shall not fret.
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