PETALING JAYA - With Valentine's Day due in
a week, PAS has again pledged to put a stop to the celebration.
Its leaders, including PAS Youth chief
Nasrudin Hassan at-Tantawi, said it must be stopped as it would lead to immoral
activities.
His deputy Nik Abduh Nik Aziz wants the
Government to place anti-Valentine Day's advertisements on television to
discourage Muslims from celebrating the event.
"Every year we join forces with various
Muslim non-governmental organisations to create awareness that celebrating
Valentine's Day is against the Islamic syariat," he said.
"We do not want the celebration to become
a trend among Muslims," he said, adding that ulamas worldwide forbid
Muslims from celebrating the day.
"The best way to disseminate the message
is through television.
"And the Government can easily do that as
it controls the mainstream media," he added.
Nik Abduh, a son of PAS spiritual adviser
Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, said the movement had yet to meet to discuss its
anti-Valentine's Day campaign this year.
Nasrudin said the movement was not out to
punish those celebrating Valentine's Day.
"We are also not trying to assume the
role of moral police. We are not enforcers.
"But, we want to help save the youngsters
from falling into the Valentine's Day trap that promotes immoral
activities," he said.
Ahead of Valentine's Day every year, PAS Youth
and various Muslim activist groups campaigned against young couples having
unlawful sex and distribute leaflets to university students warning them
against celebrating the day.
Islamic officials in Malaysia isued a fatwa in
2005 that the day is associated with "elements of Christianity".
Last year, religious authorities arrested more
than 100 Muslim couples over the celebration ban.
The roots of Valentine's Day celebrated on Feb
14 go back to ancient times, when people honoured an early Christian martyr
named St Valentine.
It is traditionally a day when lovers express
their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering sweets and chocolates
and sending greeting cards. These days, they also use e-mails, Facebook and
Twitter.
Many couples become engaged or get married on
this day. For others, it is a day to fall in love.
MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said PAS
had no right to impose its values on others.
"This is a democratic multi-racial
country. We can't stop people from celebrating whatever event they wish to
celebrate," he said.
"Commercially driven events depend on
supply and demand, PAS Youth should not interfere," Wee said, adding that
Chap Goh Mei was the Chinese version of Valentine's Day.
Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang
challenged Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to check PAS Youth.
"Anwar should take action if he wants to
show Pakatan Rakyat embraces moderation," he said, adding that the
coalition should take action against PAS Youth.
"It is not an issue with Muslims, but PAS
Youth never fails to make an issue out of it," he said.
The Star/Asia News Network
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