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GEORGE TOWN, Aug 14 — A Malay rights non-governmental organisation (NGO) demanded today that the popular Zumba dance be banned from being performed in public places in Penang, pointing out that the sport has been prohibited by a fatwa council. Persatuan Mukabuku Pulau Pinang secretary Muhsin Abdul Latheef said since the Sabah mufti has issued a fatwa (edict) banning the Zumba, the dance should be considered un-Islamic. “This kind of dance is unsuitable for Muslim women as they will be dancing to upbeat tunes in public,” he said. He added that some of the aerobic workout’s movements go against Islamic teachings. “I hope the Penang Fatwa Council will emulate the Sabah Fatwa Council to issue a fatwa against Zumba events being held in public places,” he said in a statement issued today. Muhsin also criticised the Penang state government for endorsing an upcoming Merdeka Day “Let’s Zumba Carnival”, which will be held on National day at Sunway Tunas Bayan Baru. A picture of Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon was used in a banner promoting the event. “How could the deputy chief minister, who is a learned person in religion, be endorsing such an event?” Muhsin asked. He called on the state government to cancel the event to respect the sensitivities of the Muslim community in Penang. When contacted, Mohd Rashid said the event was just an aerobic event. “So far, I’ve not received any complaints against it so let me check on it,” he said. Zumba is a popular aerobic programme created by Colombian dancer and choreographer Alberto “Beto” Perez during the 1990s. The group workout, that has been gaining popularity in Malaysia as a form of fitness programme, incorporates different types of movements from samba, salsa, mambo and hip hop to martial arts.
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Post time 15-8-2014 09:02 PM
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