LABUAN: The advice from the Malaysian Islamic Development Department to Muslims not to celebrate Valentine’s Day has received mixed reactions from the people here.
Mikelson Jagger, a government servant from Kuching, said he was not clear about Valentine’s Day as it was celebrated by the West originally.
“For me what is important is that the day is not for those in love only but to foster closer friendship among friends.
He said the perception that Valentine’s Day was an immoral activity depended on how a person celebrated it.
“Every day is Valentine’s Day and there is no need to wait for February 14 to feel the love inside. Even the spirit of Christmas should be celebrated daily.
“It turns bad when people abuse the day by committing social ills,” he said, adding that it all depended on the individuals whether to commit bad things during that day or not.
According to Fentty Haryani, a government servant, it is not right for Muslims to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
“It is because the day seems to encourage couples to commit forbidden things in Islam.
“During my school years, February 14 was celebrated in my school by the students. It looked ‘merrier’ with the selling of flowers, chocolates and such things,” she said, hoping the school teachers would review such matters.
Another interviewee, Nilla Marcellenus, a bank officer here concurred with Mikelson that every day is Valentine’s Day.
“In my Christian Roman Catholic religion, we have someone called the Saint of Love who is Saint Valentine, and February 14 is a day to commemorate him.
“In my younger years, we did not celebrate Valentine’s Day as this is a new trend and I do not remember when it started to be celebrated by the younger generation. For me, I have no objection to celebrate the day and I think we need to follow the rhythm,” she said.
When asked about the potentials of social ills happening that day, she said education among the youngsters should guard them from committing bad things.
February 14 is for lovers around the world, especially in Western countries to commemorate a saint named Valentine for his love towards a prison guard’s daughter before he was sentenced to death.
Islamic officials have warned Muslims against celebrating something “synonymous with vice activities.”
The warning follows plans announced last week by several states which 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,” Datuk 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.”
Catholic church leaders say the day, which is named after Christian martyr Saint Valentine, does not have much significance as it was deleted from the church’s calendar of saints in 1969.
They say the day is more commonly associated with people expressing their love for each other by sending flowers and chocolates or exchanging greeting cards.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said on Saturday that non-Muslims can continue to celebrate Valentine’s Day as it is their right to practise their beliefs.
However, he advised Muslims not to do so.
“I hope it will not create any suspicion. Just because Muslims do not celebrate Valentine’s Day does not mean we look down on others,” he said.
“This should not raise any issue because it is nothing new for Muslims not to celebrate Valentine’s Day.”