Muslim group releases book to remove misconception about yoga

Amid opposition in some quarters, a Muslim group today came out with a book seeking to allay apprehensions of the community about the International Yoga Day.
Titled 'Yoga and Islam', the booklet is compiled by the Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), a wing of RSS. The book was launched by AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik.
The book also draws parallels between some yoga exercises and namaaz.
"This is a good step taken at the right time. Whatever controversy had arisen, the organisation has tried to cool it down. I am thankful to them. The controversy had arisen unnecessarily without any reason. Their effort to bring out the truth is appreciable," Naik told reporters.

The 32-page booklet has 12 chapters named as 'yoga is not un-Islamic', 'objective of yoga is not to spread Hindu religion', 'namaz is one sort of yoga asana' and 'yoga is not unknown to Muslims'.
"There was no opposition to the yoga day in the entire world. There was some opposition in the Muslim community. That is why we took this imitative. There is no difference between Islam and yoga. The way yoga is needed for the entire country Muslims also need it.

"The book will be launched in all the states. It will also be translated into English and Urdu. Those who do politics over it, its their work. For us, yoga is our pride and we want to spread it all over the world," Mohammad Awzal, MRM national convener told reporters.

The booklet has been complied by Imran Chaudhary and Abhijeet Singh and published by MRM, the Ministry said.
MRM officials said that 'namaz' has yoga in every act.
"The first step of 'namaz' is known as 'qayaam' and in yoga term it is known as 'tardsasana' while the next step in 'namaz' is 'ruku' which in yoga terms is known as 'nauli kriya'," an official said.
This is followed by 'sujood' which in yoga term is known as 'sashang wajr asana' and the last in 'namaz' is 'julus' which is known as 'wajr asana' in yoga, he said.
This comes against the backdrop of certain Muslim groups opposing to offer 'surya namashkar' and reciting sanskrit 'slokas' in the beginning of the mega event on Rajpath.

However, the government has clarified that it was not compulsory for them to say 'slokas' nor was 'surya namashkar' part of the common yoga protocol for June 21.