Nov. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Malaysia’s National Fatwa Council today issued a religious edict banning Muslims from practicing yoga, saying it involves physical movements such as chanting that are prohibited in the religion, the Star reported today.

The decision was made after Zakaria Stapa, a lecturer at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, advised Muslims against taking yoga classes on concern they may deviate from the teachings of Islam, the report said.

More than 60 percent of Malaysia’s 27 million people practice Islam. The council is the religious body in Malaysia that issues fatwas for Muslims in the country. Their decisions are not legally binding.

To contact the reporter on this story: Soraya Permatasari in Kuala Lumpur at soraya@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 21, 2008 23:43 EST