Imarat-e-Shariah Karnataka has asked Muslim students not to participate in the Government program of ‘Surya Namaskar’, calling it ‘un-islamic & polytheistic’ event.
Ameer-e-Shariath, Sageer Ahmed Rashadi, has issued a statement appealing Muslim students not to participate in the Surya Namaskar program, saying, “It is not mandatory, it is optional.”
“Our country is one of the world’s largest democracy. Ganga-Jamni Tehzeeb (term used for fusion of Hindu and Muslim cultures in the country) is India’s pride and beauty. Here, everyone has constitutional right to follow any religion, belief and creed,” Rashadi said.
The Central government has started the Surya Namaskar Initiative as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav throughout the country. The Suryanamaskar project, along with music has been announced to be organised on 26 January, paying a tribute to 75 years of India’s independence.
However, Rashadi said, “They haven’t mentioned the Surya Namaskar as compulsory and mandatory. “People from other religions can follow it. But this is against the belief of Muslims as they don’t bow to any other, except one God. Therefore, performing Surya Namaskar is like accepting sun as a deity and a form of Puja. The salutation is against Islam and Sharia, which is unacceptable and impractical for Muslims. They should refrain themselves from such polytheistic programme.”
