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Monday 14 February 2011

Valentine’s Day - Muslins have no business celebrating



Activists of the right-wing Hindu organisation the Shiv Sena along with other demonstrators burn greeting cards during a demonstration denouncing Valentine's Day in Amritsar on February 13, 2011. The Shiv Sena strongly oppose Valentine's Day celebrations citing them as a cultural invasion on the Hindu way of life. AFP PHOTO/ NARINDER NANU
Activists of the right-wing Hindu organisation the Shiv Sena along with other demonstrators burn greeting cards during a demonstration denouncing Valentine's Day in Amritsar on February 13, 2011. The Shiv Sena strongly oppose Valentine's Day celebrations citing them as a cultural invasion on the Hindu way of life. AFP PHOTO/ NARINDER NANU  By (AFP)

Muslims have no business celebrating Valentine’s Day

by M. SIRAJUDIN, George Town.

I DON’T understand what the big fuss is over the preventive measures adopted by PAS and other Islamic bodies against Muslims who indulge in Valentine’s Day celebrations.

Muslims should have no business celebrating such an occasion as it is forbidden to do so in Islam.

Only Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadhan, and Eid-ul-Adha, commemorating the annual pilgrimage to Makkah, are Muslim festivals. There is no other.

Muslims should be aware of this and if they are not, they should be educated. Ignorance is no excuse.
Second, only unmarried Muslim couples who are involved in illicit affairs forbidden by Islam need to be concerned.

Islam is not against love per se but it must be expressed within proper boundaries as allowed in its teachings. Coupling, dating and being in close proximity with members of the opposite gender in isolated and private venues is strictly prohibited as it would entail unhealthy consequences for both parties.

Baby-dumping is one such outcome we are faced with today.

Islam, in its practical dimension, endeavours to block the many winding paths to sinning and wicked conduct that attracts God’s displeasure.

It lays down basic rules and principles on how to identify the nature of sin and keep away from it.
Prevention is better than cure is an Islamic dictum.

A Muslim is expected to play his part not only in keeping away from things that have been forbidden but to ensure his fellow Muslims avoid the many roads to perdition.

Valentine’s Day is another sorry excuse to promote reckless consumerism and persuade gullible people to part with their hard-earned cash.

How could true love be measured with the likes of roses, chocolates and diamond rings?

For the young and immature, they tend to confuse love with lust and the seemingly romantic atmosphere just urges them on to have a go at their willing partner. Thus, it leads to gratuitous sex with far-reaching consequence for the couple.

It contributes to further increase in sexual immorality and perverse conduct, which are contrary to the true meaning and spirit of love itself. Furthermore, if you truly love someone you don’t need a Valentine’s Day to express it.

I agree that crackdown against sinful activities should not be confined to occasions like Valentine’s Day but should be a 24/7 operation.

We must ever be vigilant against this soul-ravaging menace.

Malaysian Muslims warned against Valentine’s Day

By (AFP)Posted Sunday, February 13 2011

As couples around the world mark Valentine’s Day, Islamic officials in Malaysia have warned Muslims against celebrating something “synonymous with vice activities”.

The warning follows plans announced last week by several Malaysian states who are planning a crackdown on “immoral acts” during Valentine’s Day as part of a campaign to encourage a sin-free lifestyle.

“In reality, as well as historically, the celebration of Valentine’s Day is synonymous with vice activities,” Mr Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz, head of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM), which oversees the country’s Islamic policies, told state media.

“Islam would reject anything, even from the Eastern culture, if it contravenes the Islamic teachings,” he added. Wan Mohamad said a fatwa (ruling) issued by the country’s top clerics six years ago noted the day “is associated with elements of Christianity,” and “we just cannot get involved with other religion’s worshipping rituals.”

Trap’ campaign

JAKIM officials will carry out a nationwide ‘Mind the Valentine’s Day Trap’ campaign, he said, aimed at preventing Muslims from celebrating the day.

Nasrudin Hasan Tantawi, head of the Islamic party PAS’s youth wing said Wednesday that authorities in the opposition-controlled northern states of Kedah, Penang and Kelantan as well as central Selangor state will also carry out “immorality checks” on February 14.

PAS is part of the opposition alliance that won control of the four states in 2008 elections.

PAS Youth starts drive against V-Day

By SIRA HABIBU sira@thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: Despite fierce criticism from various quarters, PAS Youth has started its campaign against Valentine’s Day.

The anti-Valentine’s Day campaign started on the eve of the event at lovers’ haunts around the country last night.

Taman Tasik Titiwangsa in Kuala Lumpur, Teluk Chempedak and Taman Esplanade in Pahang and Dataran Shah Alam in Selangor were among the hotspots visited by the anti-vice squads of PAS Youth.

Movement chief Nasrudin Hassan said PAS Youth was not acting as “moral police” but educating youngsters on moral values and self-respect.

For this reason, he said, the movement was against any form of celebration that encouraged youths to mingle freely. This included the New Year and National Day countdown celebrations, he added.

“We are distributing flyers in parks as part of our campaign to promote a sin-free lifestyle,’’ he said.

Anti-Valentine’s campaign at CNY do

KUALA LUMPUR: A Chinese New Year open house organised by the Hidayah Centre took a turn with anti-Valentine’s Day brochures being distributed to those who attended.

The brochures, which depicted a broken heart on the cover with the title “Threat to Islam”, carried some background on the Feb 14 celebration – claiming it was to celebrate love and affection between intimate companions – and a section on “reminders and advice.”

The brochures were handed out by officials from the Malaysian Muslim Welfare Organisation (Perkim), which was one of the four co-organisers of the event held at Restoran Cina Muslim in Pusat Bandar Melawati.

The brochures were also distributed to many non-Muslims who attended the event. Also present was PKR disciplinary committee chairman Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong.

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