Kerala introduces Zumba in schools, Muslim outfits don't dance to its tune
The Kerala education department's decision to introduce Zumba, a dance-based fitness program, in schools as part of its anti-drug campaign has faced backlash from Muslim organisations. The outfits have objected to girls and boys "intermingling" and "dancing together wearing minimal clothes".Many schools have begun offering Zumba training from this academic year. Expressing his disapproval, TK Ashraf, general secretary of the Wisdom Islamic Organisation, said his son would not participate in the sessions.advertisement"Cannot accept this, and my son will not participate in this," Ashraf wrote in a Facebook post.
Nasar Faizy Koodathai, a leader of the influential Muslim organisation Samastha, called the move a violation of personal freedom and an imposition of vulgarity in the name of physical fitness."The Kerala government has implemented Zumba dance in schools. Zumba is a method of dancing together while wearing minimal clothes. If the government has instructed even older children to do this, it is objectionable," Koodathai said."Instead of improving the existing physical training, do not force vulgarity. This is also a violation of the personal freedom and fundamental rights of students whose moral sense does not allow them to express their anger and dance together," the Muslim leader further said.Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty has, however, defended the move, and shared a video on Facebook showing Muslim students participating in a Zumba session. "Let the children play, laugh, have fun, and grow up healthy," Sivankutty said.advertisementThe video was from Thanbeehul Islam Higher Secondary School in Kasaragod.Previously, the education department said the Zumba sessions were voluntary and were introduced in an attempt to help students cope with academic pressure and discourage drug abuse.A government official told ANI that the initiative was to promote mental and physical well-being.- Ends
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The Hindu
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Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], June 28 (ANI): Muslim groups in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram have raised strong objections after the state education department introduced Zumba dance in schools, stating that they can't accept girls and boys intermingling, dancing together, or wearing minimal clothing. The move, as part of its anti-drug campaign, aimed at helping students manage stress through physical activity, drew criticism for allegedly promoting indecent intermingling of boys and girls. The backlash began after TK Ashraf, a teacher and General Secretary of the Wisdom Islamic Organisation, posted on Facebook that he and his son would not participate in the programme. 'Cannot accept this, and my son and I will not participate in this,' Ashraf wrote in a brief but direct statement opposing the initiative. Soon after, Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama leader Nassar Faizy Koodathai also posted, calling the Zumba sessions inappropriate and a violation of students' rights. In a post on Facebook, Nasar Faizy Koodathai said, 'The Kerala government has implemented Zumba dance in schools. Zumba is a method of dancing together while wearing minimal clothes. If the government has instructed even older children to do this, it is objectionable. Instead of improving the existing physical training, do not force vulgarity. This is also a violation of the personal freedom and fundamental rights of students whose moral sense does not allow them to express their anger and dance together.' The education department, on the other hand, defended its decision, saying the Zumba sessions were voluntary and were introduced under a statewide initiative to help students cope with academic pressure and discourage drug abuse. According to the official, the programme was designed to promote mental and physical well-being and was not mandatory for students. (ANI)
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