Saudi Arabia approves yoga as a sports activity: Nouf Marwaai

News Network
November 14, 2017

The Saudi Arabian government has approved the practice of yoga as a sports activity, claimed a social media post of Nouf Marwaai, founder of the Arab Yoga Foundation in the oil-rich kingdom. 

She wrote on her Facebook wall: "Yoga literally means 'union'. A union of individual with ones wellbeing, a body to mind, emotions and soul, nation to globe has officially arrived at the sea shore of Saudi Arabia. It has crossed the boundaries of fundamentalism...ideological extremism." (The account is not verified by the social media site.)

She also wrote that since its inception in Saudi, "Yoga has observed a topsy-turvy path, with me as a medium. God gave me strength to fight all difficulties, real difficulties. God was with me as an observer and infused courage in me whenever required. Here is a day, that finally practicing yoga is no more a deviant behaviour in Saudi." 

She also thanked the Indian Government and the Consulate General for "unlimited" support. 

Yoga has been promoted in a big way by Indian Yoga gurus and with concerted efforts by the Indian government, the United Nations has also declared June 21 as 'International Yoga Day'.

In fact Islam encourages physical exercises. Hence, Muslims do not completely oppose Yoga. However, some of the practices of Yoga including “worshipping” sun (surya namaskar) are considered un-Islamic. Islam allows to worship only the Creator of the universe.

Who is Nouf Marwaai?

Nouf Marwaai is a Saudi businesswoman and entrepreneur as well as a leading practitioner and the official promoter of yoga and Ayurveda in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf.

An advocate of yoga with 18 years of practice since 1998, she has achieved the status of Yogacharinie Nouf Marwaai, a title awarded in Kerala, India.

She is also a practitioner of Ayurvedic Indian medicine and is clinical psychologist, lifestyle counsellor, and Ayurveda and Yoga therapist. 

In Saudi Arabia, she has started her own medical centre for yoga therapy, Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine 2009.

Nouf is also the founder of the Saudi Arabia Yoga School 2008, Regional Director of Yoga Alliance International in the Gulf Region 2009, and together with Swami Vidyananda, the founder of Yoga Alliance International, India they founded the Yoga Alliance Gulf 2009. 

She is Honorary Secretary of the International Yoga Federation for Saudi Arabia and Arab Countries 2010, President of the Arab Yoga Foundation 2010, and Vice President of the Yoglimpic Committee in India 2012. 

In addition, Nouf has conducted numerous seminars and educational speeches and has taught more than 3000 students of yoga since 2005 and certified more than 70 yoga teachers between 2009 and 2014.

Among her many qualifications in Yoga, Ayurvedic medicine, Natural Medicine and Holistic Health, Nouf holds a Master’s degree in Psychotherapy and Lifestyle, Shobhit University India, New Delhi and a Diploma in Medical Yoga, Delhi, India.

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News Network
May 27,2020

Bengaluru, May 27: Former Karnataka chief minister and JD-S leader HD Kumaraswamy on Wednesday said that the state government should withdraw the decision to name the Yelahanka bridge after Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.

"The state government's decision to name the Yelahanka bridge after Savarkar is a disgrace to those who have struggled for the country's prosperity. This doesn't give a good name to the state government," Kumaraswamy tweeted.

"There are many great people who worked for the development of the country before and after independence. Their names could have been used for this bridge. Do other states name their bridges after our leaders? On behalf of the people of the state, I urge the state government to take a step back from this decision," he added.

The newly built Yelahanka bridge was named after Savarkar last year in a BBMP council meeting. Later it was sent to state government for approval. Tomorrow, the bridge is likely to be inaugurated for public use.

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Media Release
April 7,2020

Mangaluru, Apr 7:  In the wake of COVID-19 lockdown in the country, a delegation from Highland Islamic Forum, Mangalore headed by Rizwan Pandeshwar, HIF Ration Kit Co-coordinator met Mangalore South Constituency MLA Mr. Vedavysa Kamath, Mayor Mr. Diwakar and MCC  Opposition Leader Mr. Abdul Ravoof on 6th April with an aim to join their hands with our local authorities in a bid to serve the daily wage earning families in and around Mangalore, during this emergency period. HIF delegation included Secretary Ausaf Hussain, Executive members Nazim SS, Adel Parvez, Nabeel Kudroli and Saleem Makkah.

HIF delegates handed over 300 COVID-19 Emergency relief ration kits to these local authorities, of which 100 each will be distributed to the poor in their respective areas among all faiths irrespective of caste or religion. The ration kits included grocery items and other essential commodities.

HIF Delegation said that Highland Islamic Forum is a prestigious charitable organization in Mangalore operating in the undevided D.K. District since last 8 years offering their hands to the poor and needy families of all faiths like food for the orphans, blood to the patients, water during the crisis time, relief supplies during floods, medicine to the patients, ration kits and homes to the homeless.

During the drinking water crisis in 2016, HIF supplied water facilities to more than 1000 families in Mangalore.  Two years back during the flood, HIF provided necessary commodities to the flood victims in Dakshina Kannada District. During the shortage of blood in Mangalore hospitals, HIF arranges blood donors camps and provide the blood to the patients.  HIF spends one day with orphans every month. HIF charitable activities have been well recognized by the kind hearted people in Dakshina Kannada District.

MLA Vedavysa Kamath, Mayor Diwakar and Mangalore City Corporation opposition leader Abdul Ravoof lauded the selfless efforts of HIF team in serving the poor and needy families in the society.

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News Network
March 15,2020

Bengaluru, Mar 15: The week-long ban imposed by the Karnataka Government from Saturday is yet to get a total response in the State to fight against the spread of killer disease Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The ban has witnessed a considerable reduction in the travelling public by Bus and train. Bus terminal and Railway stations wore desert look or only a very few public travelling. KSRTC, which was maintaining service for every 10 minutes once between the State Capital and to City of Palaces, was forced to cancel most of the service due to very little patronage. 

"We were left with no option but to cancel the fleet since there are no passengers," sources at the KSRTC Bus terminal told media persons.

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