The well-regarded mufti pointed out that many other sports activities such as taiji, taekwondo and judo were also picked up from other cultures.

'These sports did not have anything to do with Islam but have been practised because of its known health benefits,' Dr Asri, who was appointed to his post by the Perlis state government, said in a telephone interview on Monday with The Star.

'Yoga practitioners who are Muslims should be given an alternative by practising a version of yoga that does not resemble the version practised by other religions,' he said, adding that chanting while practising the exercise should be stopped.

He maintained that yoga was a good form of exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle, if the practitioner does not also embrace the elements that are against Islamic teachings.

Dr Asri is believed to have skipped the National Fatwa Council's meeting on the edict on yoga because he felt uncomfortable with the discrimination by the Islamic Development Department Malaysia (Jakim). 'The fatwa announced in this day and age should not be too rigid. The human movement does not necessarily have a connection with religion,' he said. (Fatwa refers to religious edict.)

The Fatwa Council, Malaysia's top Islamic body, issued a fatwa last Saturday banning Muslims from practising yoga as it involves chants and acts of worship in order to be one with the god of another religion - in this case, Hinduism.

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

Jakim said yesterday it is asking the fatwa committee in each state to meet over the decision of the National Fatwa Council before the fatwa is presented to the Sultans and Malay Rulers for consent.

THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK, BERNAMA