Deoband: In a rare confluence, Yoga guru
Baba Ramdev performed Pranayam while a Hindu Priest recited
Vedic hymns at the largest congregation of Muslim clerics
of the country here on Tuesday.
The 30th General Assembly organised by Jamiat
Ulema-i-Hind at the Darul Uloom Islamic seminary was the
first occasion when a Hindu religious figure addressed the
audience, primarily comprising Muslim clerics.
The jam-packed pandal of the seminary, which is the
seat of Sunni Muslims in Asia, fell silent as Pandit N K
Sharma started reciting sacred Sanskrit texts at the dias.
More than two lakh clerics and students first listened
attentively to Hindu religious texts which dealt with peace,
unity and brotherhood and then watched the Yoga performance of
Baba Ramdev.
Ramdev, in his signature style, started with a brief
introduction about unity, health and well being followed by
demonstrating Anulom-Vilom, Pranayam, Kapaal Bhati and
other Yogasans to the gathering.
"I teach people Yoga. I spoke of well being, healthy
life. Haven't changed anyone's religion," a beaming Baba
Ramdev said.
Incidentally, the 143-year-old influential seminary
had in the past issued a fatwa in favour of yoga after some
clerics banned Muslims from practising it.
Stressing on the need to promote yoga, Ramdev sought
to dispel misconceptions about the activity by saying, "These
yogas were like exercise to keep the body fit and do not
violate any tenets of Islam since one is not required to
recite any shlokas."
As the Baba who is the founder of Patanjali Yaogapeeth
in Hardwar exhibited some fine points about breath control,
concentration, meditation, the audience was seen following him
in the acts.
He emphasised the need for promoting communal harmony
satying the unity between Hindus and Muslims was the strength
of the nation.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, November 03, 2009, 18:48