New Delhi : An announcement by a fitness centre in Kerala’s Palakkad district describing itself as an “Islamic-friendly gym” has sparked a row. The controversy began after the gym in Puthunagaram released a promotional video, in which owner Nawaz Muthu T said the facility would operate without loud music and would have separate workout timings and spaces for men and women.
“We are launching an Islam-friendly gym, and I believe it will be the first of its kind in Kerala. Anyone interested is welcome to contact me and visit the facility,” Nawaz said in the video, adding that the gym was not a new venture but an existing fitness centre that has been operating for around 15 years and is currently undergoing renovation. Following the backlash, the original promotional video was removed and in a new clip, Nawaz said the facility is open to people of all faiths and was not intended to be a Muslim-only gym.
Explaining the idea behind the project, Nawaz said the term “Islamic-friendly” refers to certain operational practices rather than restrictions on who can join. “When it comes to an Islamic-friendly gym, women and men should not work out together. Women should have a separate time and separate space. Men should have a separate time. There should be no loud music,” he said. “A lot of Muslims live according to Islamic principles. They don’t listen to music. There is no gym for them. When you go to a gym, it is not possible to switch off the music.
“Everyone can come. The only condition is that there will be no open music. Those who want to listen to music can do so through headphones. There is nothing wrong with that,” he said. After the owner’s clarification, there have been mixed reactions, with some praising the initiative for creating separate workout areas. “It’s not like all other gyms are forced to convert as Islam-compliant gyms! You will have perfectly normal regular gyms where you can go, and let people who believe in this to go here. Peace,” another person added.
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