‘Islam-friendly’ Kerala gym triggers online row, owner says it is open to all

A fitness centre in Kerala's Palakkad district has found itself at the centre of an online controversy after promoting itself as an "Islam-friendly gym", a move that drew sharp criticism and triggered a wider debate on religion, inclusivity and personal choice.

The row began after a gym in Puthunagaram released a promotional video recently in which owner Nawaz Muthu T announced plans to relaunch the facility with features tailored to people who prefer gender-segregated workout spaces and a music-free environment.

"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.

He clarified that the gym is not a new venture but an existing fitness centre that has been operating for nearly 15 years and is currently undergoing renovation.

The promotional clip quickly went viral, drawing criticism from social media users who questioned whether the facility was intended exclusively for Muslims.

AS the backlash intensified, the original video was taken down. In a fresh statement, Nawaz said the gym was open to people of all faiths and rejected claims that it was meant only for Muslims.

"Many people are saying this is a Muslim gym or a gym only for Muslims. I have never said that," he said.

Explaining the concept, Nawaz said the term "Islam-friendly" referred to the gym's operational model rather than restrictions on membership.

"When it comes to an Islamic-friendly gym, women and men should not work out together. Women should have separate timings and spaces, and men should have separate timings. There should be no loud music," he said.

According to Nawaz, many people who follow such practices avoid conventional gyms because they are uncomfortable with mixed workout spaces or loud music.

"There are Muslims who live according to Islamic principles and do not listen to music. There are also women who are uncomfortable exercising in mixed spaces. These are people who have not been able to access gyms until now," he said.

He added that even members of his own family 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 concerns over exclusion, Nawaz stressed that membership would not be restricted 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 use headphones. There is nothing wrong with that," he said.

The clarification has led to mixed reactions online. While some users criticised the use of the "Islam-friendly" label, others supported the concept of separate workout spaces for men and women.

One user argued that such facilities could encourage more women to join gyms, saying many feel uncomfortable exercising in front of unfamiliar men.

Another defended the initiative, saying people who prefer such arrangements should be free to choose them without affecting how other gyms operate. Some users also viewed it as a practical business model, noting that many Muslim women avoid gyms because of the lack of gender-segregated facilities.

However, critics continued to question the religious branding. While one user asked why religion-based divisions were being created in everyday spaces, another described the idea as socially regressive.

The debate has since expanded beyond a single fitness centre, touching on broader questions about religious accommodation, personal freedom and the balance between inclusivity and identity-based branding.