An Islamic women's group urged Malaysian Muslims not to celebrate Valentine's Day today, saying it was not part of Islamic culture and could encourage vice among teenagers.

The head of the Islamic Women Consultative Council, Kamilia Ibrahim, said that although the celebration was not overtly religious "most of us know that Valentine's Day is a day to celebrate a priest called St Valentine."

Apart from its Christian connection, the festival of love "can encourage vice among teenagers," she told the Malay Mail .

The majority of Malaysians are Muslims, but there are large Chinese and Indian minorities and shops and hotels in the capital Kuala Lumpur were full of Valentine's Day specials.