Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah issued a statement yesterday making an unprecedented criticism of the council for bypassing the Conference of Rulers in issuing the controversial edict.

He said he hoped that in future, fatwas that affected the public would be referred to the rulers' conference first 'to ensure that the method of channelling a fatwa is implemented in a wise manner to avoid any confusion or controversy'.

The Malay rulers are the heads of religions for their respective states, while the King is the head of Islam for Malaysia.

The Sultan also advised the Selangor fatwa committee to deliberate the edict 'in greater detail so that a decision is not made hastily' on whether to gazette it.

The edict on yoga was issued by the National Fatwa Council but has to be gazetted by each state for it to have the force of law for Muslims in that state.

The council had recently issued a ruling that discouraged the practice of yoga by Muslims as a form of exercise as it had the potential of undermining their faith. The edict added that yoga was haram (forbidden) if it came with chanting and devotional elements drawn from its Hindu origins.

The ruling drew criticism from some Muslims who saw it as overly restrictive and intrusive. It also took on a racial twist after a protest by the Malaysia Hindu Sangam, an association which oversees Hindu affairs.

The sultan's intervention has complicated the debate and could turn it into a politically delicate matter.

It is unclear how the other Malay rulers will weigh in with their opinions, but they are highly influential. The fatwa may not get very far if the rulers come out against it.

No state has ratified the fatwa yet, although Malacca Chief Minister Ali Rustam indicated that his state would do so next month.

Perak Islamic Religious Department director Jamry Sury initially said the state would adopt it but yesterday clarified that it was beyond its jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, the Internet bristled with criticism of Hindu Sangam's president A. Vaithilingam for speaking on a matter that affected only Muslims. He had described the fatwa as 'regrettable'.

Malaysian Indian Congress president Samy Vellu said yesterday that he would meet Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi over the matter. He was quoted by Bernama as saying that the label of haram may confuse Hindus.

But the edict has also split Muslims. It has been strongly criticised by influential Muslims such as Ms Marina Mahathir, the daughter of former premier Mahathir Mohamad, and women's group Sisters In Islam.

There is also a sense that the ban is targeted at women as the overwhelming majority of yoga enthusiasts in the country are women.

Opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia research chief Dzulkefly Ahmad was quoted over the weekend as saying that the fatwa should be more specific to allow Muslims to make their own judgments.

Other critics have urged the fatwa council to focus on bigger issues such as racial divisions.

The number of Muslim yoga practitioners is not known, but the National Cancer Society said it has been inundated with calls from Muslim patients who practise yoga for health.

But there are also strong views from Muslims who feel that a fatwa is made for the good of Muslims and should not be questioned as it clarifies the grey areas of Islamic laws.

The Syariah Lawyers Association yesterday urged the government to take action against those who questioned the fatwa. Its president, Mr Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar, said this was to protect the sanctity of Islam, and prevent confusion among Muslims.

'Each fatwa is to save Muslims from erosion of their faith, so there should not be people who challenge or disobey it,' he said.

carolynh@sph.com.sg