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Issue of the day: MUI: Thanks for banning Valentine's Day
Say it with flowers: A woman dressed as Cinderella distributes flowers to passengers on the Commuter Line serving the Jakarta-Bogor route on Saturday, Valentineâs Day
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span class="inline inline-center">Say it with flowers: A woman dressed as Cinderella distributes flowers to passengers on the Commuter Line serving the Jakarta-Bogor route on Saturday, Valentine's Day. JP/Don
Feb. 14, Online
The Indonesian Ulema Council's (MUI) chairman of education affairs, Anwar Abbas, thanked a number of mayors across the archipelago on Saturday for banning Valentine's Day celebrations.
'I thank the mayors of Surabaya, Padang, Makassar and Mataram, who have not recognized the celebrations for Valentine's Day today,' Anwar said as quoted by Antara news agency.
He added that celebrations would only damage the character and morality of the younger generation.
'Young people have to be critical [about Valentine's Day] and every celebration and culture that comes from the West; they are not always in line with our values,' he explained.
Your comments:
It would be nice if Anwar Abbas could pick a bunch of values, then stick to all of them instead of picking and choosing which ones to follow at different times.
P Symon Peers
Anwar Abbas suggested that Valentine's Day would only damage the character and morality of the younger generation.
Shadaan
Folks, listen to this. Makassar's Mayor has banned Valentine's Day and forbids the sale of the novelties. But this ban must have been generated from his own mind. If you really care for the people of Makassar, be brave, put up your stop notices to corruption, which is happening in your regions ' an ongoing disease that you are required to eradicate from day one.
And therefore, I ask: What have you done so far? How many cases of corruption have you encountered and reported to the KPK?
Luwanto
It's so funny when you hear 'how Indonesian they are'. Dude, we are Indonesia, Indonesia isn't Muslim or Christian nor any other religion. So stop pretending that you are the only Indonesian and banning anything you don't like.
Aswin R
Don't give a damn for all those criticisms. We have every absolute right to celebrate Valentine's Day. It is a very good opportunity to express, renew and improve our love and care for our spouses.
Robby Kaware
Anwar Abbas ' what is wrong with expressions of love on Feb. 14? What is wrong with my daughter telling me and my wife 'I love both of you dada and mama: Happy Valentine's Day dada and mama!'
And we say the same thing to her and present her with some strawberry cupcakes and a school bag with Minnie Mouse, her favorite cartoon character.
Malam
Can some legal experts enlighten us as to exactly what law gives mayors the right to ban the sale of St. Valentine's Day accessories?
Terry McAsee
It is fair enough. There are also other educational approaches that can be used as well, such as focusing on aspects of profiteering and the pressures and potential lack of self-esteem that Valentine's Day can bring to the young and impressionable.
Ketoprak
I just bought a Valentine's Day card and chocolates for my wife. I better return them quickly before I get picked up for contributing to damaging the character and morality of the younger generation!
Willo
I find this article confusing. It claims that regional governments banned the celebration of Valentine's Day. But in the article, the word ban was only used in the case of Makassar.
So has the celebration also been banned in the two other places (Padang and West Nusa Tenggara), or did we just have some politicians criticizing it?
Magpie
Valentine's Day isn't a special day to love someone. It is a day to remind you to make sure those you love know it. It is a day to take you away from your busy work schedule and chores and take some time for love.
X Simaging
