Latest news with #Samastha
News18
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Row Over Introduction Of Zumba In Kerala Schools, Muslim Body Says 'Don't Force Vulgarity'
Last Updated: Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty defended the move, saying "Let the children play, laugh, have fun, and grow up healthy." After Kerala education department introduced Zumba in schools as part of its anti-drug campaign, some Muslim outfits have objected the decision. The move is facing backlash as some religious groups objected to girls and boys 'intermingling" and 'dancing together wearing minimal clothes". From this academic year, many schools in the state have begun offering training in Zumba – a fitness program that involves cardio and Latin-inspired dance. According to a report in India Today, the general secretary of the Wisdom Islamic Organisation, TK Ashraf, expressed his disapproval of the program in a Facebook post, saying, 'Cannot accept this, and my son will not participate in this" The India Today reported that Nasar Faizy Koodathai, a leader of the prominent Muslim organisation in Kerala 'Samastha', described the move as a violation of personal liberty 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," India Today quoted Koodathai as saying. '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 outfit leader further said. 'Let the children play, laugh, have fun, and grow up healthy," Sivankutty said. The visuals were from Thanbeehul Islam Higher Secondary School in Kasaragod district. Earlier, the state education department said the Zumba classes were voluntary, adding that they were introduced with a goal to assist students cope with academic pressure and discourage drug abuse. First Published:
India Today
8 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
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 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 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 video was from Thanbeehul Islam Higher Secondary School in 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
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
‘Undermines morality': Muslim groups slam school Zumba sessions
Kozhikode: Several Muslim organisations have come out against the introduction of Zumba dance sessions in schools as part of the general education department's anti-drug campaign, claiming that it undermines morality and promotes boys and girls dancing together. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now AP Sunni leaders had earlier opposed the popular MEC-7 exercise regime on similar lines. Zumba, a popular aerobic fitness programme that blends movements inspired by various styles of Latin American dance and music, was introduced in schools to reduce students' mental stress, following a proposal from chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. On June 20, the director of general education issued a circular directing schools to conduct physical activities, including Zumba and other light exercises, in assemblies from June 23-26 as part of observing the International Day against Drug Abuse. Higher education minister R Bindu reacted sharply to the opposition, saying Zumba was aimed at ensuring the physical and mental health of students and the school community had embraced it with much joy. "What is wrong with that? We are living in 2025 and the first quarter of the 21st century is over. We are not in the 19th century or in the primitive Middle Ages. People should think with the changing times," she said. However, CPM state secretary M V Govindan said the sessions were not mandatory and the govt would take all communities into confidence before introducing such programmes. Sunni Yuvajana Sangham (SYS), the youth wing of the influential Samastha Kerala Jem Iyyathul Ulema, alleged that it was part of a move to foster boys and girls dancing and singing together, just like the earlier attempts to introduce gender neutrality on campuses by making children sit together. "Zumba is actually a form of entertainment incorporating Western dance and rhythms involving both men and women. There are many believers who don't like their daughters participating in such dances," SYS leader Abdussamad Pookottor said, adding that it was against the moral standards of children and there was no such opposition when Yoga was introduced. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Claiming that awareness classes were the best way to spread the message against drug abuse, he said religious scholars in Samastha would approach the govt to withdraw the decision if it was made compulsory in schools. Samastha has asked the management committees of schools under it not to implement such "immoral" tendencies, he said. Samastha Mushawara member Bahauddeen Nadvi alleged that the Communist govt was using this as a covert strategy to disregard religious beliefs and moral values, while subtly introducing religious disrespect and negation of religion in society. Wisdom Islamic Organisation leader T K Ashraf, who himself is a teacher, said strengthening the existing arts and physical education programmes — regular drills, exercises and mass physical education training sessions — would be more appropriate to improve children's mental and physical health. "It must be noted that even today, physical education teachers have not been appointed in 86% of UP schools, 45% of high schools and 10% of LP, HSS and VHSE schools," he said. Muslim Students Federation state president P K Navas said the decision to introduce Zumba sessions was taken unilaterally. SFI national joint secretary Adarsh M Saji supported the initiative, saying: "Unnecessary controversies over this should be avoided, and all religious communities should come together in support of this initiative." Earlier, opposing the MEC-7 exercise regime, the Sunni leaders had said the workouts were being carried out by women along with men and they were an affront to the modesty of women.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
War in West Asia violated all international norms: Kanthapuram
Sunni leader Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar has said that countries like India have a moral duty to support the United Nations in opposing and defeating the autocratic tendencies of world leaders who interfere in the sovereignty of other nations. Speaking at the World Peace Summit organised as part of the centenary celebrations of the Samastha Kerala Jemiyyathul Ulama in Kozhikode on Wednesday, Mr. Kanthapuram, general secretary of Samastha, said the war in West Asia that had just been put on hold had violated all international norms, and that the world nations were mute spectators as serious war crimes were committed. He added that India should take the initiative to put an end to the Ukraine- Russia war and the genocide in Gaza by Israel. Samastha president E. Sulaiman Musliyar presided over the event. June 26 is the 100th foundation day of the Samastha. As part of the centenary celebrations, flag hoisting will be held at 8,000 unit centres, while special assemblies will be held in over 10,000 madrasas. Peace rallies will be held at 700 circle centres. The theme of the celebrations is 'War is not a solution'. Earlier, addressing the media, he said the Samastha still upheld the ideals that governed it over the century. He said the organisation was in talks with the State government on the change in school timings, highlighting its concern about the extension of school timings affecting madrasa students.
New Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Haven't received complaints against revised school timings: Minister Sivankutty
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Five days after the Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyatul Ulama voiced opposition to the revision of school timings and urged the government to reconsider, General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Sunday said no formal complaints had been received against the revised timings. The Samastha had said extending the school timings would affect the madrasa education of around 12 lakh students. 'I haven't received any complaints, but that doesn't imply any suggestion or criticism is invalid. If a religion or community is facing a problem (due to the move), we are ready for open discussions. We are not forcing anything,' he said in Thiruvananthapuram, and added that the groups concerned can come forward with suggestions. Samastha president Sayyid Muhammed Jifri Muthu Koya Thangal had expressed concerns over the government's decision to extend high school study hours by 15 minutes each in the morning and afternoon sessions. Meanwhile, the minister blamed the Union government for the delay in the distribution of uniforms among BPL students, saying the Centre had not provided adequate funds. He also said the student count in the state will be published within two weeks, as some more evaluations are required. Show-cause notice to teacher for punishing students A show-cause notice has been served on the school teacher who forced female students to do sit-ups as punishment, General Education Minister V Sivankutty said. 'The district education officer has been asked to investigate the incident and submit a report to the deputy director of education,' he said, adding that further action will be taken after considering the teacher's response. The incident took place at Cotton Hill Girls School in Thiruvananthapuram on June 10. When eight Class 9 students insisted on leaving school before the National Anthem ended, the teacher locked the classroom and made them do sit-ups as punishment. 'Such things must not happen, from the side of teachers as well as students,' Sivankutty said, adding that punishing students in such a way and showing disrespect to the National Anthem were not ideal practices. 'We are getting inputs that similar forms of punishments are doled out in several schools. It should be avoided,' he said.
