"Surya namaskar should not be made mandatory in government schools," because Muslims bowed only before ‘Allah.’

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) will launch a nationwide campaign against making ‘surya namaskar’ and yoga compulsory in schools.

The board’s executive council took the decision when the Modi government’s plan to observe International Yoga Day on June 21 and related issues came up for discussion at its meeting on Sunday.

‘Surya namaskar against Islam’

At the executive council meeting of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board here on Sunday, many members spoke up for a proactive role by the board on issues concerning the community.

Executive council member Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali told The Hindu that the board decided to constitute a committee, headed by Maulana Wali Rahmani for the purpose.

“The board’s view on ‘surya namaskar’ and ‘yoga’ would be put forth by the committee along with the explanation why they go against the beliefs of the Muslims, and why they should not be imposed on their children,” the Maulana said.

Another board member Kamaal Farooqui said that it was against Islam to salute the sun.

“Surya namaskar should not be made mandatory in government schools,” because Muslims bowed only before ‘Allah.’

“The board has the option to move the court and to launch a movement against the proposal,” he said.

The meeting of the 51-member working committee, held at Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulema here, deliberated on several other issues, including the decision to install a Majlis-i-Amal (a committee to implement the board’s resolutions, its aims and objectives).

Taking the support of other organisations, not necessarily those of Muslims, and people belonging to other faiths on issues related to the community was also brought up by some executive council members.

Sunday’s meeting which ratified the decisions taken at the board’s annual convention held in Jaipur in December 2014 decided to name Maulana Rahmani as the acting general secretary and constitute a team of spokespersons for presenting the board’s views. Maulana Syed Nizamuddin will continue as general secretary.

This was disclosed to journalists by board spokesman Maulana Abdul Rehman Qureshi, though there was no official briefing.

In fact, it was Maulana Rahmani who made a forceful plea for setting up a panel of spokespersons for giving instant reactions because by the time the official response (from the board’s spokesman) came, it was too late.

The decision to name spokespersons was taken after it was felt that there should be more interaction with the media.

The issue was raised at the meeting by Qasim Rasool Ilyas, who said the media played a pivotal role and hence should be kept informed of the board’s activities.