The Scholars’ Union, comprising some of the most prominent and respected religious scholars in the Maldives, has issued a strong condemnation of the government’s cooperation in this year’s World Yoga Day celebration.

The Union described yoga as a form of shirk (polytheism) and a discipline inherently tied to Hindu religious philosophy.

In their public statement, the Union recalled that 104 local scholars had previously outlined the religious dangers associated with yoga and advised against its practice.

The scholars reiterated that yoga poses a serious threat to Islamic unity and is incompatible with the principles of Islam.

Referring to the controversial 2022 Yoga Day incident, where a public event was stormed and subsequently investigated by Parliament, the Union noted that many current government figures had opposed yoga-related activities at the time while in the opposition.

The statement questioned the current administration’s apparent reversal in stance, pointing specifically to the presence of a state minister as Chief Guest at this year’s celebration.

This year’s event was hosted at the Taj Exotica Maldives Resort and organized by the Indian High Commission, with over 500 participants, including Maldivians.

State Minister for Sports, Fitness and Recreation Ibrahim Amir officiated the ceremony, alongside Indian High Commissioner Shri G. Balasubramanian.

The Scholars’ Union described the participation of a government official as “unacceptable” and urged state institutions to take appropriate action against any such future involvement in un-Islamic practices.

emphasizing that shirk is the gravest sin in Islam and must not be facilitated by state actors.

 In light of this, the scholars stated that Muslims should neither participate in, encourage, nor facilitate yoga-related activities in any form.

The statement concluded with a call to the President, heads of state, and national security forces to prevent such practices within the Maldives and protect the nation’s religious identity.

The public was also urged to take an active role in safeguarding the country from acts of polytheism.

While the government has yet to make any statement regarding the celebration, and the opposition has remained silent, the Scholars’ Union and segments of the public have voiced growing concern over the normalization of religiously sensitive practices.