Thiruvananthapuram
oi-Prakash KL
A gym in Kerala’s Palakkad district has found itself at the centre of a social media debate after its owner announced plans to transform the facility into what he describes as an “Islam-friendly” fitness centre.
The gym, located in Puthunagaram, has reportedly been operating for nearly 15 years. Its proprietor, Nawaz Muthu T, recently announced a new operating model that incorporates several practices rooted in Islamic principles, including separate workout sessions for men and women, modest dress requirements, and the absence of music inside the facility.
A gym in Puthunagaram, Palakkad, Kerala, announced plans for Islam-friendly operations including gender-separated sessions and modest dress codes to accommodate religious beliefs, clarifying membership remains open to all faiths.
The proposal came to public attention after a promotional video shared online gained significant traction. In the video, Nawaz outlined the gym’s new approach, stating that male and female members would not train together and that loud music would not be permitted during workout sessions.
According to the owner, the initiative is intended to serve individuals who prefer a fitness environment that aligns with their religious and cultural beliefs. Women using the facility would be expected to follow modest clothing norms, while men and women would have separate timings and workout spaces.
The announcement generated mixed reactions online. While some social media users welcomed the concept as an effort to make fitness facilities more accessible to conservative communities, others questioned the need for religion-based operational rules in a public gym setting.
As criticism mounted, the original promotional video was removed. Nawaz later released a clarification, rejecting claims that the gym would cater exclusively to Muslims.
He maintained that membership would remain open to people of all faiths and said the term “Islam-friendly” refers only to the facility’s operating practices. Anyone willing to follow the gym’s guidelines, he said, would be welcome to join.
Explaining the rationale behind the move, Nawaz argued that many people, particularly from conservative Muslim households, avoid conventional gyms because of mixed-gender workout spaces and the routine use of music. The new model, he said, seeks to address those concerns and encourage greater participation in fitness activities.
He also clarified that members who wish to listen to music would be free to do so through personal headphones, even though music would not be played publicly inside the gym.
The initiative has since sparked a wider discussion online about faith-based accommodations in fitness centres, with supporters describing it as a matter of personal choice and critics debating its implications for inclusivity and public spaces.
