I refer to the Malaysiakini report: Coming soon: Fatwa on Yoga .

Yoga was banned in Egypt where clerics say the 5,000-year-old practice violates Islamic law and described yoga as an ‘ascetic Hindu practice that should not be used in any manner of exercise or worship’, ‘an aberration’ and said mimicking it is ‘forbidden religiously.’

Is Malaysia going to follow this example?

It is hilarious to the point of ridiculous because yoga is neither a religion nor claims to be a substitute for any religion in the world.

Why can't anyone do yoga or kung-fu or anything that is based on some other faith as long as they do not accept the belief system that goes with it?

Yoga originally stems from polytheist beliefs and worship rituals and is intimately connected to the religious beliefs and practices of the Hinduism. However, many martial arts, languages, food and other cultural acts have some sort of religious background to them.

Likewise yoga which is done by many people all over the world regardless of their beliefs. It is done as a form of exercise and it is very beneficial for that. As long as you do not compromise any of your own beliefs and you also separate any of the nonsensical meanings to some of the forms then it is fine, no?

Er, perhaps in future we should have a fatwa on tai chi exercise for its close links to Taoism as well? It may corrupt your beliefs.. yeah right.

I wonder if one's faith is so fragile that it is so easy to waver every time it faces challenges? The religious authorities seem to be quite efficient in focusing on petty issues when there are better things to do.

Instead of playing moral guardians cum police snoops, Jakim should., oh, never mind. I am not a Muslim and I am sure it is none of my business to tell them what they should do.

Why should I care, right?

Let these people bask in their self-glorified interpretations and tunnel vision. All the religions out there seems to impress people by making life more difficult by imposing many rules instead of making life easier.