Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
India

Chant 'Allah' If Not 'Om': Minister Tells Muslim Leaders

Darpan News Desk IANS, 11 Jun, 2015 11:14 AM

    Ayush Minister Shripad Yesso Naik on Thursday appealed to the Muslim community to participate in the International Yoga Day in a big way and said people who do not want to chant 'Om' can say 'Allah'.

    Naik told IANS after his meeting with a delegation of Muslim leaders on Thursday that they have extended full support to the Yoga Day to be observed on June 21.
     
    "I met the Muslim delegation today to discuss about the Yoga Day. They have extended full support to the cause and will join us on the Yoga Day. Our motive is to unite people for a better world," Naik said.
     
    He said the government took 'surya namaskar' out of the Yoga Day activities as it can be a tough yoga posture.
     
    Naik said people with spondylitis and other medical issues will not be able to do it as well.
     
    "We do not want any controversy or opposition over this surya namaskar. If people do not want to chant 'Om', they can say 'Allah'," Naik told IANS.
     
    He said yoga was for the well-being of all and has nothing to do with any particular religion.
     
    During his interaction with the Muslim leaders, Naik said there was no compulsion on anyone to practise yoga, but it was good for the body and soul.
     
    He said people should make it a part of their lives and contribute in the celebrations of the International Yoga Day on June 21.
     
    The Muslim leaders, who included Majlis Ulema e Hind (Uttar Pradesh) president Maulana Syed Kaukab Mujtaba Abidi, and Daudi Bohra community representative Abbas Ali Bohra, applauded the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Yoga Day.
     
    The leaders said namaz too has yogic postures.
     
    Bohra said that out of the 177 countries which have expressed their desire to participate in yoga sessions on the International Yoga Day, 47 were from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
     
    These countries have expressed desire to participate in yoga sessions being organised in the Indian missions, he said. "We as Indians should support Yoga Day as it is on the initiative of India."
     
    Some minority groups had objected to the inclusion of surya namaskar in the programme.
     
    The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) had said it will launch a campaign against any move by the union government's move to make yoga and 'surya namaskar' compulsory in schools.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    India Confused About Policy On Pakistan: Kargil Martyr's Father

    India Confused About Policy On Pakistan: Kargil Martyr's Father
    Feeling let down by the successive Indian governments, the father of Captain Saurabh Kalia is now pinning hopes on the Supreme Court. Saurabh was the first to report Pakistani incursion in Kargil in 1999. 

    India Confused About Policy On Pakistan: Kargil Martyr's Father

    More Tests On Maggi, Wrong Ads Can Penalise Even Brand Endorsers

    More Tests On Maggi, Wrong Ads Can Penalise Even Brand Endorsers
    The food safety watchdog has taken more samples of Maggi noodles across India for testing after certain harmful substances were allegedly found in a batch in quantities higher-than-permissible-limits

    More Tests On Maggi, Wrong Ads Can Penalise Even Brand Endorsers

    No Talks With Pakistan; Welcome A Proactive PM: Sushma Swaraj

    No Talks With Pakistan; Welcome A Proactive PM: Sushma Swaraj
    External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday denied any "flip-flop" in India's policy towards Pakistan and said no talks can be held as long as Mumbai attack mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi was walking free.

    No Talks With Pakistan; Welcome A Proactive PM: Sushma Swaraj

    Aruna Shanbaug Rape Accused Sohan Lal Living A 'Normal' Life In A UP Village

    Aruna Shanbaug Rape Accused Sohan Lal Living A 'Normal' Life In A UP Village
    Villagers say they were aghast to know of the crime that Sohan Lal had committed as they found him to be "very normal" and rather well behaved. 

    Aruna Shanbaug Rape Accused Sohan Lal Living A 'Normal' Life In A UP Village

    AAP Youth Wing Protests Ban On IIT-Madras Students Group

    AAP Youth Wing Protests Ban On IIT-Madras Students Group
     The AAP's youth and students wings on Saturday protested in the capital over the alleged banning of a student group at the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras for distributing controversial pamphlets.

    AAP Youth Wing Protests Ban On IIT-Madras Students Group

    Indian Cabinet nod for land ordinance's re-promulgation, Rahul attacks Modi

    Indian Cabinet nod for land ordinance's re-promulgation, Rahul attacks Modi
    The cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave its approval to amend the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Ordinance, 2015. 

    Indian Cabinet nod for land ordinance's re-promulgation, Rahul attacks Modi