Islam has never rejected the good things brought by the Western world, including in matters concerning love and the way of showing our love to others, said Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz.

"We accept and celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day, for example, to commemorate our love for our parents.

"At the same time, however, Islam would reject anything, even from the Eastern culture, if it contravenes the Islamic teachings," he said when launching the 'Mind the Valentine's Day Trap' campaign here today.

He said Islam was not opposing the celebration of love, but vice activities that usually took place during the celebration.

"That is why a fatwa (edict) was issued to prevent and advise Muslims not to celebrate Valentine's Day because in reality, as well as historically, the celebration of Valentine's Day is synonymous with vice activities," he said.

The fatwa, issued by the National Fatwa Council during its 71st conference almost six years ago, stated: "The spirit of Valentine's Day celebrations is associated with elements of Christianity and vice activities that are prohibited in Islam."

Wan Mohamad said the explanation on this matter was vital to ensure that Islam would not be defamed as opposing all festivals and celebrations of other religions like Christmas Day, Deepavali, Chinese New Year, Gawai and the like.

"We just cannot get involved with other religion's worshiping rituals. In a social event, we can always join the non-Muslims, no problem.

"Our leaders also attend such an event. Even the muftis attended tea parties organised by their neighbours celebrating Christmas," he said.

The 'Mind the Valentine's Day Trap' campaign is aimed at preventing Muslims, especially teenagers, from celebrating Valentine's Day which falls on Feb 14.

War against V-Day only for Muslims

Meanwhile Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin stressed that the advice given by Jakim on Valentine’s Day celebrations is directed solely at Muslims.

“It is to inform Muslims that the celebrations are not suitable for them, which does not mean that we want to demean Valentine’s Day or disrespect other communities,” he said.

He hoped that there was no misunderstanding caused by the advice from Jakim.

Muhyiddin said: ”There are practices that are regarded as suitable by others but not so in Islam because of their nature and the history associated with them.”

Although Valentine’s Day is often associated with a Christian saint, some legends concerning it predate Christianity. And many churches say that the day is not religiously observed in Malaysia or worldwide.

On the plan by PAS Youth to have “immorality checks” on Valentine’s Day in Kedah, Kelantan and Selangor, which are under the opposition pact, Muhyiddin said that such action was rather extreme.

“As Muslims, we emphasise advice. Don’t ruffle the sensibilities of communities for whom the celebrations have become a practice,” he said.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha said Valentine’s Day celebrations should not have any religious connotation.

“Celebrating Valentine’s Day is just to strengthen relationships, not necessarily between young couples but also between old married couples,” he said.

    

- Bernama