‘Undermines morality': Muslim groups slam school Zumba sessions
Kozhikode: Several Muslim organisations have come out against the introduction of Zumba dance sessions in schools as part of the general education department's anti-drug campaign, claiming that it undermines morality and promotes boys and girls dancing together.
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AP Sunni leaders had earlier opposed the popular MEC-7 exercise regime on similar lines.
Zumba, a popular aerobic fitness programme that blends movements inspired by various styles of Latin American dance and music, was introduced in schools to reduce students' mental stress, following a proposal from chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. On June 20, the director of general education issued a circular directing schools to conduct physical activities, including Zumba and other light exercises, in assemblies from June 23-26 as part of observing the International Day against Drug Abuse.
Higher education minister R Bindu reacted sharply to the opposition, saying Zumba was aimed at ensuring the physical and mental health of students and the school community had embraced it with much joy. "What is wrong with that? We are living in 2025 and the first quarter of the 21st century is over. We are not in the 19th century or in the primitive Middle Ages. People should think with the changing times," she said. However, CPM state secretary M V Govindan said the sessions were not mandatory and the govt would take all communities into confidence before introducing such programmes.
Sunni Yuvajana Sangham (SYS), the youth wing of the influential Samastha Kerala Jem Iyyathul Ulema, alleged that it was part of a move to foster boys and girls dancing and singing together, just like the earlier attempts to introduce gender neutrality on campuses by making children sit together. "Zumba is actually a form of entertainment incorporating Western dance and rhythms involving both men and women. There are many believers who don't like their daughters participating in such dances," SYS leader Abdussamad Pookottor said, adding that it was against the moral standards of children and there was no such opposition when Yoga was introduced.
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Claiming that awareness classes were the best way to spread the message against drug abuse, he said religious scholars in Samastha would approach the govt to withdraw the decision if it was made compulsory in schools. Samastha has asked the management committees of schools under it not to implement such "immoral" tendencies, he said.
Samastha Mushawara member Bahauddeen Nadvi alleged that the Communist govt was using this as a covert strategy to disregard religious beliefs and moral values, while subtly introducing religious disrespect and negation of religion in society.
Wisdom Islamic Organisation leader T K Ashraf, who himself is a teacher, said strengthening the existing arts and physical education programmes — regular drills, exercises and mass physical education training sessions — would be more appropriate to improve children's mental and physical health.
"It must be noted that even today, physical education teachers have not been appointed in 86% of UP schools, 45% of high schools and 10% of LP, HSS and VHSE schools," he said. Muslim Students Federation state president P K Navas said the decision to introduce Zumba sessions was taken unilaterally. SFI national joint secretary Adarsh M Saji supported the initiative, saying: "Unnecessary controversies over this should be avoided, and all religious communities should come together in support of this initiative."
Earlier, opposing the MEC-7 exercise regime, the Sunni leaders had said the workouts were being carried out by women along with men and they were an affront to the modesty of women.
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