Minister to be questioned over gov’t-endorsed yoga studio
The Association of Religious Scholars condemned the government for approving a yoga studio, declaring yoga as forbidden in Islam and an act of Shirk
Disruption of the International Yoga Day celebrations in the Maldives
The Minister of Homeland Security and Technology is facing scrutiny over the government’s failure to halt the operation of a yoga studio in the capital, Malé City that was established with official authorization.
A question submitted to the People’s Majlis seeks clarification from Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan on why the wellness center “Balance Studio,” which began operations on September 23 under a private company, was allowed to continue after publicly advertising yoga sessions. The inquiry further asks whether any directive had been issued by the president permitting yoga-related activities.
The issue has sparked renewed controversy following strong objections from religious scholars. The Association of Religious Scholars released a statement condemning the government for approving the studio, declaring that conducting or promoting yoga, regardless of how it is labeled, is forbidden in Islam. The association characterized yoga as an act of “Shirk”, describing it as the gravest sin.
The statement urged citizens to avoid participating in yoga programs and called on state leaders to establish policies that prevent such activities from recurring, emphasizing that scholars should not have to repeatedly raise these concerns.
Public criticism has intensified after it was revealed that Balance Studio was inaugurated by Dr. Mariyam Mariya, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare and a member of President Mohamed Muizzu’s cabinet.
The controversy echoes the 2022 incident during the previous administration, when a government-organized yoga event marking International Yoga Day at Malé’s Galolhu Stadium was violently disrupted. A group of individuals carrying flags bearing the Islamic declaration of faith stormed the field, shouting religious slogans and ordering participants to disperse.
Photographic evidence from that event showed that the flags used in the disruption had been distributed from the office of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) earlier that morning, the same party to which President Muizzu and several current ministers and officials were affiliated at the time.
Despite repeated calls for clarification, the government has yet to respond to the statement from the Association of Religious Scholars or to explain why the Balance Studio continues to operate with official authorization.
