'Islam-friendly' gym in Kerala faces massive backlash online, owner clarifies
A gym in Kerala's Palakkad drew criticism after promoting itself as Islam-friendly with separate timings, spaces and trainers for men and women, and no music.
An announcement by a fitness centre in Kerala's Palakkad district describing itself as an "Islamic-friendly gym" has sparked a row, with many questioning the concept.
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.
He also said that trainers would be segregated.
"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.
The video, however, drew widespread criticism, with many social media users questioning whether the initiative was intended exclusively for Muslims.
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.
"A lot of people say this is a Muslim gym or a gym only for Muslims. I am not saying that. I have never said this is a gym only for Muslims," he said.
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.
Nawaz added that many people who strictly follow such practices currently avoid gyms because they are uncomfortable with mixed workout spaces or loud music.
"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. There are women who are uncomfortable working out in mixed spaces. These are people who have not been able to access gyms until now," he said, adding that his own family members had stayed away from fitness centres for similar reasons.
"Because I am a Muslim, I know many such people. Even among my relatives, there are people who do not go to gyms. This facility will be useful for them," he said.
Seeking to address allegations that the gym was exclusionary, he stressed that membership would not be limited on religious grounds.
"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 doesn’t have to be religion-specific nor advertised as one, It is not at all a bad idea to have separate gyms for both genders! I swear there would be more women joining a gym if they knew they wouldn’t have to parade in front of strange men," a user posted on X.
"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.
"This is the business model I suppose to attract gym trainees. Most Muslim women refrain from going to the gym because there is no separation for men and women. State is not doing this," an X user posted.
However, the backlash also continued over the "Islamic-friendly" tag.
While one person asked, "What is the need to create a religion-based division everywhere?" another said, "Being 100 percent literate means going back by 1,000 years."
An announcement by a fitness centre in Kerala's Palakkad district describing itself as an "Islamic-friendly gym" has sparked a row, with many questioning the concept.
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.
He also said that trainers would be segregated.
"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.
The video, however, drew widespread criticism, with many social media users questioning whether the initiative was intended exclusively for Muslims.
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.
"A lot of people say this is a Muslim gym or a gym only for Muslims. I am not saying that. I have never said this is a gym only for Muslims," he said.
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.
Nawaz added that many people who strictly follow such practices currently avoid gyms because they are uncomfortable with mixed workout spaces or loud music.
"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. There are women who are uncomfortable working out in mixed spaces. These are people who have not been able to access gyms until now," he said, adding that his own family members had stayed away from fitness centres for similar reasons.
"Because I am a Muslim, I know many such people. Even among my relatives, there are people who do not go to gyms. This facility will be useful for them," he said.
Seeking to address allegations that the gym was exclusionary, he stressed that membership would not be limited on religious grounds.
"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 doesn’t have to be religion-specific nor advertised as one, It is not at all a bad idea to have separate gyms for both genders! I swear there would be more women joining a gym if they knew they wouldn’t have to parade in front of strange men," a user posted on X.
"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.
"This is the business model I suppose to attract gym trainees. Most Muslim women refrain from going to the gym because there is no separation for men and women. State is not doing this," an X user posted.
However, the backlash also continued over the "Islamic-friendly" tag.
While one person asked, "What is the need to create a religion-based division everywhere?" another said, "Being 100 percent literate means going back by 1,000 years."
