Sumatra's Islamic Leaders Ban Sexy Aerobic Wear Because It Promotes Lust In Men

Some of the most interesting fatwas have been coming out of Indonesia recently, and surprisingly not all of them from Indonesia's Ulemas Council.

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Let's see, there was a ban against yoga last year, because of it's Hindu influence; there was a ban against women riding motorbikes or wearing tight jeans. A more recent fatwa was issued by 2 all-female educational institutes against women sporting fancy hairdos because it's "morally illicit" and counter to Islamic teachings; and having photographs taken of engaged couples, because

Premarital photos are also condemned as haram because they favour “extra-marital relations”, and give photographs the opportunity to retouch female bodies to show them in storefronts in order to “attract new customers”.

The fatwa was issued during 12th Female Bahtsul Masail Forum held at the Lirboyo pesantren in Kediri (East Java). Its purpose, activists believe, is to preserve the “purity” of marriage between bride and groom by helping them avoid morally unacceptable behaviour.

I want to know where in the Quran does it say getting a perm or curling your hair or having a photo taken is haram (forbidden). Exactly, there was no such thing in those days.

So, now comes the latest fatwa against sexy gym clothes because it's

.. “against the spirit of Islam,” said the Indonesian Islamic Ulemas Council (MUI) in Palembang, South Sumatra province. In its recent pronouncement, it targeted sexy outfits that “provoke lust in men.” For the MUI, it is wrong especially for young women to wear “improper” garments during aerobic exercises in gyms or in the open air, because of their effect on men.

Because they obviously believe Muslim men have no control over their hormones, and maybe that's true, who am I to say. But since women have taken to exercise more, it has become more or a problem.

Aerobic exercises early in the morning, especially during weekends, have become a regular activity for thousands of women of all ages.

Kiai Hajj Sodikun, MUI leader in Palembang, said women should wear more chaste clothing so as not to arouse men. Because of this, unduly sexy gym suits or physical exercises and movements that excite men “should be considered haram (morally illicit)”.

Do you suppose exercising in a niqab would be chaste enough? Thankfully, unlike Saudi Arabian moral authorities who like their women unhealthy and fat, since they're not allowed to exercise, female gyms being banned and all, Mr. Kiai does understand the importance of exercise, he just wants women in baggy clothes.

And no-one seems to know what's okay and what's a no-no.

The main problem is that no one knows with any certainty what garment or exercise is illicit and what is not. In many Indonesian provinces, there are many traditional dances and body movements, different from one to the other.

“Such views are a very poor argument,” gym teacher Herlina told AsiaNews. “What about women wearing bikini at the beach or whilst swimming?” Jakarta resident Maria asks. “The MUI seems to be short of arguments to address problems raised in modern society,” she added.

I'm sure the next fatwa will be against swim suits. And then what next?!