Pas Youth's Lovers' Day is not Valentine’s Day

KUALA LUMPUR: Pas youth head Nasruddin Hassan Tantawi denied supporting Valentine’s Day, saying he had been firm in rejecting the celebration as it had nothing to do with Islamic teachings.

Nasruddin told The Mole that the statement in his blog post was misinterpreted by people when his intention was to promote lovers’ day, especially for married Muslim couples as an alternative for Valentine’s Day.

“I have never supported Valentine’s Day. What I wanted to promote is lovers’ day, a day where Muslim couples celebrate the love with their partner on any day, not only on Feb 14,” Nasruddin said.

Nasruddin was commenting on a news report by Malaysiakini stating that couples could celebrate Valentine’s Day or any day to celebrate their love.

Subsequently a news report by Utusan Malaysia pointed how Nasruddin's remark is controversial as he had previously opposed the celebration.

He stressed that the lovers’ day he promoted has nothing to do with Valentine’s Day and it could be celebrated on any day provided Muslim couples adhered to Islamic principles.

“I am giving alternative to Muslim youths to not be influenced with the culture and tradition of other religions when Islam has its own way in promoting love too,” he added.

Nasruddin also pledged support for Kelantan government's “Spouses' Day” (Hari Suami Isteri) planned on Feb 14 as an annual celebration to replace the Valentine’s Day in the state.

Kelantan Mentri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat reportedly said the Spouses' Day is intended to promote a happy family way of life in accordance to Islam.

Pas Youth had been criticised for their opposition to Valentine's Day.

Pas youth deputy head Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz in a news report has called for anti Valentine’s Day campaign as the celebration promoted immoral activities.

Bloggers and NGOs have stated that making an issue about Valnetine's Day will not leave an impact on young Muslims when they could concentrate on issues such as backlog of syariah cases in court or the failure to fulfil payment of alimony to wife and children.

Source: MOLE