READING the report “Fatwa on yoga to be made known” (NST, Oct 30) has left me dazed with disbelief.

I am a Muslim who practises yoga daily. Does it make me any less a Muslim? No. I practise it purely for the sake of adopting a healthy lifestyle, as the benefits and advantages of yoga are aplenty.

Much research has been conducted to show the effects of yoga, in terms of the betterment of one’s health and strength.

Among them are better posture, improvements in dealing with anxiety, stress, insomnia and other illnesses and proper breathing.

We are constantly encouraged to respect other races’ traditions and lifestyles, and I believe that Muslims practising yoga is not in any way harming their religious faith.

I urge the National Fatwa Council not to impose any ruling on this matter as there are a lot of other pertinent issues regarding religious faith and belief that are at stake at the moment.

NAZREEN TAJUL ARIF, Mersing

Source: NST – October 31, 2008