PETALING JAYA, Malaysia: The implementation of the fatwa (edict) banning the practice of yoga by Muslims has been put on hold in two states.

The Sultan of Selangor said the fatwa could not be implemented in the state yet as it had not been presented to the state Fatwa Committee,

Perak Islamic Religious Department director Datuk Jamry Sury withdrew his earlier statement that Perak would adopt the fatwa, saying that several procedures including seeking the consent of the Sultan, had to be carried out first,

Perlis Mufti Dr Asri Zainal Abidin spoke out against the edict, saying yoga with the non-Muslim elements removed should be allowed,

Most other states said they would take the necessary steps to enable the edict to be implemented,

However, Sisters in Islam said the fact that the states had differing views on the matter seemed to suggest that there was no consensus on the ban.