MUI says Valentine’s Day is haram
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 02/10/2011 1:34 PM
The Dumai chapter of the Indonesian
Ulema Council (MUI) in Riau says the celebration of Valentine’s Day is haram (forbidden for Muslims).
“From its origins, it is recognized that
the Valentine’s Day is a holiday of non-Muslims in Rome, Italy. Therefore, Valentine’s
Day celebrations are forbidden for Muslims,” MUI Dumai chairman Roza`i Akbar
told Antara in Dumai on
Thursday.
He added that Valentine’s Day
celebrations went against Islamic teachings because the celebration was akin to
encouraging young people to build relationships outside marriage.
”What will happen if Valentine’s Day
becomes part of Islam culture? This was one of the considerations in deciding
to forbid the celebration for Muslims,” he said.
The MUI has called upon all Muslim
parents to explain to their children that Valentine’s Day is something they
must not celebrate.
“It would be better to educate them
and give them religious teachings so that Valentine’s Day celebrations will not
become a tradition among Muslims youths,” he said.
