Article: ‘Hot Malaysian Yoga Star Banned from TV For F-Word, Fatwa’
From THE YOGA DORK July 13, 2010
With all these world record yoga events and baited sun breaths waiting for the Eat, Pray, Love merchandising avalanche, have we really forgotten about the Fatwa?
The wha? Hey, watch your language! No, really, at the end of 2008 and early ‘09 we had fatwas flying out from every direction. OK, mostly the east. To be specific, the Muslim regions of Indonesia and Malaysia. Just to bring us all up to speed, a Fatwa is otherwise recognized as a religious edict, a kibosh, or ban on things that are deemed ‘haram’ or harmful.
The Fatwa Councils of both Indonesia and Malaysia made news by slapping one of these fatwas on our beloved yoga, inciting outrage by practicing yogis who also practice Islam. In short, both cases saw retractions on the ban so that asana was eventually permitted so long as the freaky chanting and “mind body connection” remained absent. Turns out Indonesians didn’t care anyway. (Note the Bali Spirit Fest, formerly Yoga Fest, 2010 went off without a hitch).
We’d all but forgotten about the yoga ban in Malaysia until we heard from Ninie.
Ninie Ahmad is as close to a Malaysian yogi rock star as they come, her image gracing oodles of magazine covers, appearances on numerous TV shows and a role as an official Adidas ambassador. So why was her most recent moment in the spotlight cruelly edited in accordance with the F-word?
Via FreeMalaysia:
“(On Sunday, July 4) I was informed that Astro [Malaysian Satellite TV] will not air my episode of Project Alpha that is scheduled tonight because the Quality Control (QC) department said that under Fatwa law, they could not air a Malay person teaching yoga.”
For your reference, ‘Project Alpha’ is a reality show like ‘Top Chef’, but about bloggers! Sadly Ninie was denied her time to shine, because of yoga.
That’s ridic! some of you say. Is it yoga censorship?? But Malaysia isn’t devoid of yoga naysayers. So, fairly miffed and confused, Ninie has taken to twitter to defend herself from detractors in 140 characters or less:
We’re no scholars, but we are pretty sure yoga can be practiced in tandem with most religions, or with none at all. (though, due to the sensitivity of the matter might we suggest in our best publicist tone that Ms. Ninie reconsider her ‘about’ section where she mentions attending yoga “religiously” and her decision to “join the cult”… just sayin’)
Anyway, the physical practice is supposedly allowed, so why was yoga cut from programming? We think Astro at least owes an explanation! Dang it, anyhow. Besides, if the country of Malaysia is going to ban public displays of yoga, how’re they going to make bank off this EPL-crazed tourism wave?
Stay strong Ninie. One love.
Earlier…
- Fatwa News: Yoga Ban Reversed! Malaysian Muslims Free to Practice Yoga, without Chant
- Malaysian King Not Cool with Ban; Still Hope for Muslim Yogis?
- Indonesian Muslims to Yoga Fatwa: Who Cares?
- Bikram Responds to Fatwa, ‘Yoga has absolutely nothing to do with religion’
. . . . . .
Special thanks to Yoga Dork for the mention and online hugs from yogis all across the map.
The universe is working its magic, I can feel it!
An NYC-inspired yoga practice space along the lush green neighbourhood of Saujana Resort, Malaysia. For class schedule, fees and location, visit 
O my, this Yoga issue again? It was sad and frustrating enuff when they came up with the fatwa that yoga is ‘haram’.
Then again, I think Astro is merely playing safe by just reflecting the fatwa. Or else the gov and all these fatwa-making ppl may start to make a big hoo-haa. U know how these rambunctious this Gov ppl are!
Nothing personal, I’m sure. After all, it is Ninie Ahmad for goodness sake!! Loves.
shiqq
14 Jul 10 at 7:33 PM
Dear Ninie,
I’m sorry for the clear discrimination of the satellite company’s inability to “air a Malay person teaching yoga.”
The next thing we know, they are banning Muslims from doing Yoga exercise. This issue is similar to beauty pagent issues that we had to face years ago.
I think a linient approach should be addressed in our developing nation today, and it leaves me wondering…why aren’t they?!
We can’t please everyone. But I am a strong believer of “what doesnt kill you, will only make you stronger”.
Keep on doing what you’re doing.
pamela
15 Jul 10 at 8:08 PM
Ninie, so sad to hear that it is still happening in this modern society. Just keep doing what you are good at and brush away those bad bugs. Be strong, most importantly be yourself
Sholee
16 Jul 10 at 5:48 PM
Hmm I’m becoming less and less suprise with what’s happening in Malaysian. Wake up and flip the news paper to hear some crazy news and also disturbing one. Everytime you opened newspaper, you get news about new rules or opinion that give an idea of Malaysia people are obessed on something and non tolerant. Some people with their narrow mentality bringing up opinion that not only destroy the beauty concept of islam but also look bad to the eye of other country. The worst is when these who claims that they used to study from countries that opress the human rights and bring back those extermist idealogy. Can people not let people practise their belief in what they believe and let the mighty god judge them HIM-self? I guess not. It has to followed a standard what they perceive as acceptance to their eyes. You know Ninie, I got a huge argument with my dad when I came back when he started idolising the pendakwah. My argument is, if we’re not certain why can’t we just refer to the al-quran and not just accept everything splirted from a guy who also make up what he think is acceptable to his view? I just hate it. Learning about al-quran and islam should had been an enjoyful, comforting experience especially when you want to bring someone else ( non muslim) to understand it’s true beauty and to converge. Islam should be a improving, forgiving and kind to people all around. I guess that’s what people decided to turned blind and deaf.
Adra
2 Sep 10 at 9:01 PM