Close X
Thursday, December 12, 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

    Punjab to roll out 225 citizen-centric services by May 2015

    Punjab to roll out 225 citizen-centric services by May 2015
    Punjab will set up 2,600 unified civil services centres in all villages and 137 towns in the state by May 2015 to provide 225 citizen-centric services related...

    Punjab to roll out 225 citizen-centric services by May 2015

    Sonia targets Modi government, says Nehru's ideology under attack

    Sonia targets Modi government, says Nehru's ideology under attack
    Congress president Sonia Gandhi Thursday launched a strong but veiled attack on the BJP-led government, saying a determined bid was being....

    Sonia targets Modi government, says Nehru's ideology under attack

    India, US can partner to promote women's rights: US

    India, US can partner to promote women's rights: US
    Based on their "shared values", India and the United States can be partners in promoting women's rights around the world, United States Under-Secretary for...

    India, US can partner to promote women's rights: US

    Sino-Indian military exercise starts Sunday

    Sino-Indian military exercise starts Sunday
    The Exercise Hand-in-Hand 2014 is in continuation of the series of joint exercises held by the Indian Army and the People's Liberation Army, said a defence ministry statement....

    Sino-Indian military exercise starts Sunday

    Seven army men given life sentence in 'fake encounter'

    Seven army men given life sentence in 'fake encounter'
    Seven armymen were awarded life sentence in a 2010 "fake encounter" in which three youths were killed, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said Thursday....

    Seven army men given life sentence in 'fake encounter'

    Pakistan Rangers fire at Indian positions in Jammu and Kashmir

    Pakistan Rangers fire at Indian positions in Jammu and Kashmir
    Pakistan Rangers fired at Indian positions overnight on the international border in Samba and Jammu districts, causing no damage, police said Thursday....

    Pakistan Rangers fire at Indian positions in Jammu and Kashmir