Rafiya Naaz, a trained Yoga practitioner and instructor from State Capital who received death threats for practicing Yoga is likely to join Prime Minister Narendra Modi at International Yoga Day function scheduled at Prabhat Tara ground on June 21. Twenty-three-year-old Rafia took up the cudgel to practice Yoga despite diktat from some of her community members who condemned her practice calling it ‘anti-Islam’. However, the woman who runs an organization ‘Yoga beyond Religion’ is yet to receive any official invitation letter or confirmation from the Government.
Naaz, talking to The Pioneer, said, “I too have been hearing some local BJP leaders and media persons that the State Government is planning to invite me for welcoming PM on D-day. But till date I have not received any conformation or invitation from Government.” Naaz further said, “If I get the chance to welcome Modi jee and practice Yoga session with him then it will be a great achievement for me.”
The woman claimed that Yoga should not be linked with any religion as it is the way to keep body and mind healthy and peaceful.
Naaz, a resident of Doranda Rahmat Colony has been practicing Yoga since the she was four-year old. Some fundamentalist of her community initially opposed her for practicing Yoga as they claimed that it was against her community. However, Naaz despite opposition from her community continued practicing Yoga. Two years back in 2017, her passion for Yoga drew unwarranted attention from her community and some anti-social elements attacked her house. The anti-social elements also gave death threats to her over phone.
Naaz and her family members later approached the district administration seeking security. The district administration provided two armed body guards to Naaz. After media highlighted the issue, Yoga Guru Ramdev too came out in support of Naaz.
Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev had said that practicing Yoga was essential for mental and physical health and that religion should not be brought into this. The Yoga guru Ramdev had even said that Muslims from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan practice Yoga. It is an exercise which is good for mental and physical wellness; religion shouldn’t be brought into this.
On Thursday (June 13) Naaz along with her 40 students practiced Yoga asanas with Chief Minister Raghubar Das and Governor Droupadi Murmu at the rehearsal of Yoga day function at Raj Bhavan.
Naaz said, “The State Government had invited me and 40 students from my institute for practice session at Raj Bhavan. The Government provided Yoga uniforms to me and all 40 students who attended the practice session.”
Naaz apart from running Yoga beyond religion also provides Yoga teaching to students from Madarsas and Government schools of her locality.
