In This UP District, Muslims Have Been Practicing Yoga For 20 Years

Arvind Chauhan
Arvind Chauhan
Updated on Jun 22, 2016, 18:21 IST-3 K Shares
In This UP District, Muslims Have Been Practicing Yoga For 20 Years

Amid controversies on international yoga day, Muslim residents of Allehpur Chursen village in Hathras district have shown the world that practising yoga is merely a discipline to obtain mental, physical and spiritual peace but not a religious 'invasion'.

In This UP District, Muslims Have Been Practicing Yoga For 20 Years

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The Muslim population of village has been practicing yoga for the last two decades under the guidance of Maulana Wali Mohammad who believes that yoga transcends all barriers of caste and religion and is the ultimate therapy for a healthy body and mind.

On the occasion of International Yoga Day on June 21, more than 50 residents of Allehpur Chursen village along with Maulana and his disciples performed yogas for nearly an hour after offering morning namaz.

In This UP District, Muslims Have Been Practicing Yoga For 20 Years

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Speaking to TOI, Maulana Wali Mohammad said, "We appreciate our PM Modi's efforts for bringing our Vedic age practices to the new world on a larger platform. It is a shame that our previous governments did not do much about it earlier. Yoga is beyond the limitations of caste, creed, faith and religion."

The septuagenarian Maulana, who knows nearly 32 asanas (postures) from Balasana to Vrksasana said, "I'm greatly influenced by yoga, as it keeps me physically fit and helps me attain inner peace. After offering namaz, I ensure to practice yoga daily and also ask others to do the same."

In This UP District, Muslims Have Been Practicing Yoga For 20 Years

TOI

Responding on the objections raised by All India Muslim Personal Law Board member Zafaryab Jilani, who slammed the government urging the recitation of 'Om' during Yoga Day celebrations and called it 'unconstitutional', Maulana Wali Mohammad said, "There is no harm in reciting 'Om', if one is not comfortable he/she can say Allah or any word they prefer."

When TOI contacted Zafaryab Jilani to discuss yoga practice by Muslims in Hathras district, he reiterated and said, "We have a problem with government's intention of creating a sense of promoting a particular religion with yoga, but if any individual wishes to recite 'Om' than he has the freedom to do so. Our country is free and democratic."

Also Read: These Muslim Students Practise Yoga At An Ahmedabad School To Ease Their Ramzan Fasting