Deoband (Uttar Pradesh), Nov 3 (IANS) Renowned yoga guru Swami Ramdev Tuesday sought to promote his method of keeping fit and dispel misconceptions about it at the gathering of clerics and followers at the historic Islamic seminary here.
Ramdev was the first non-Muslim cleric to address the annual convention of Islamic seminaries under the auspices of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind at the seminary, known for its influence over bulk of the Sunni Muslims across the country.

Emphasising the need for promoting communal harmony, he contended that the unity between Hindus and Muslims was the strength of the nation. “It was high time people realized that ‘Ishwar’ and ‘Allah’ were two names of one and the only god,” he said.

Stressing the need to promote yoga, Ramdev sought to dispel misconceptions about the activity.

“Yoga is not related to any religion nor is there any underlying idea behind it to promote any religion,” he said, stressing it was a physical exercise to keep body and mind fit.

He also gave a demonstration of his most popular “pranayam” exercises - “kapal-bhati” and “anulom-vilom”.

Home Minister P.Chidambaram, Minister of State for Communications Sachin Pilot, All India Muslim Personal Law Board’s senior vice president Maulana Kalbe Sadiq and social activist Swami Agnivesh also addressed the gathering.

Swami Agnivesh too drew much applause when he talked about banning liquor as well as urging Muslims not to recite Vande Mataram.