‘ Yoga should not be used as political tool’

Lucknow, June 20: Yoga should not be used as a political tool or linked to a particular community, top Muslim bodies said on Wednesday on the eve of International Day for Yoga. The organisations also said that Yoga should be seen as form of exercise and not through the prism of religion.

“Islam lays special emphasis on physical fitness and considers things related to fitness as good. Yoga as an exercise is good, but it should not be made compulsory which may not be acceptable to people of other religions.

“The most important thing is that Yoga should not be used as a political tool. But, sadly this practice is going on,” All India Muslim Personal Law Board spokesman Sajjad Nomani told PTI here.

He also said that people of every religion and section of society should be encouraged to celebrate Yoga Day on Thursday.

“It is unfair to force upon someone any particular exercise. There should be no dispute visavis Yoga. People of every religion and section of the society should be encouraged to celebrate International Yoga Day.

“It is important that Yoga should be perceived as a rahmat ( mercy) and not a ‘ zahmat’ ( worry),” the spokesman said.

The All India Shia Personal Law Board ( AISPLB) was of the view that Yoga should not be linked to a community.

“Yoga should not be seen as something linked to a particular community... People who have the habit of seeing Yoga through the prism of religion, actually want to see humanity in a sick state of affairs,” AISPLB spokesperson said.