Valentine’s Day sparks celebrations, protests in Pak

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Some Pakistanis celebrated Valentine’s Day on Wednesday with balloons and flowers, but others denounced the holiday as an insult to Islam.

In the port city of Karachi, home to 18 million people, billboards decorated with a black heart urged citizens to “SAY NO TO VALENTINE’S DAY”.

“This tradition reflects insensitivity, indignity and ignorance of Islam,” the signs read. They were put up by a group affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami, a religious political party that holds six of 342 legislative seats.

Secular parties dominate Pakistani politics and are likely to win the vast majority of votes in elections due this year, but religious parties often wield political influence through street demonstrations.

“Valentine’s is against Islamic culture. In our view, relationships are sacred. We have arranged marriages in this culture and people don’t get married for love,” said Syed Askari, a spokesman for Jamaat-e-Islami. “This is imposing Western values and cultures on an Islamic society.

“Look at the West – people love their dogs but throw their parents out when they get old. We don’t want to be like that.”

In the northwestern city of Peshawar, a handful of people burnt Valentine’s Day cards in front of television cameras on Monday. Women wearing black robes held signs denouncing the tradition.

The state broadcasting regulator, PEMRA, urged broadcasters to “respect viewers’ sentiments”.

“PEMRA has been receiving complaints from a large segment of society that Valentine’s Day celebrations are not in conformity with our religious and cultural ethos and has, therefore, condemned its unequivocal propagation through media,” the statement said.

But in the capital of Islamabad, hawkers selling heart-shaped balloons staked out street corners and florists were doing a brisk trade.

“Valentine’s Day is good for business,” said a grinning Mohammed Ajmar as he handed a customer a huge heart made of red roses and glitter.

“I’m happy with Valentine’s Day. The city if full of flowers and it looks nice,” said 21-year-old student Faateh Khan, who was buying roses for his mother. “Those people are just a minority of extremists acting up for the media,” he said of those making complaints.

13 COMMENTS

  1. Either these protesters have never known real or plutonic love, probably grown up in families where hate for the human race excels. Why do these worms think they are the Body Guards of Allah's domain!!!

  2. Mulaqat-e-Mehboob Ka IshtiyaqBhi Khoob Hota Hy,Bhool Ke Apne RABB KoInsan, Insan Ko Phool Deta Hy,Hosh Nai Ksi Ko Hashr MeMulaqat-e-Khuda KaYahan Khuda Ko Bhool Kr Insan,Insan Ko Ahmiyat Deta HyAye Kash Samajh Aajaye Ummat Ko Ye Baat,Ye Valentine Kaafiron Ka Dastoor Hota Hy.

    Sorry to say it is pagans (DEVIL OR DAJJAL) custom to celebrate this saint velentines day

  3. @ Happy Valentine's Day people
    @ Either these protesters have never known real or plutonic love,

    KINDLY note WHERE YOU STAND ACCORDING TO THE SAYING OF PROPHET(pbuh)

    ذلت و رسوائی اس شخص کا مقدر هے جو میرے حکم کی مخالفت کرے اور جس نے کسی قوم کی مشابهت اختیار کی وه ان هی مین سے هے.
    سنن ابی داود 4031
    جلد 4

    • What this has to do with Valentine day.
      I love my religion Islam, please do not bring your own interpretation of Islam.
      Educate your self.

      • @ Sorry to say it is paganscustom to celebrate this saint velentines day
        @ Educate your self.

        Valentine’s Day is a jaahili Roman festival, which continued to be celebrated until after the Romans became Christian. This festival became connected with the saint known as Valentine who was sentenced to death on 14 February 270 CE. The kuffaar still celebrate this festival, during which immorality and evil are practised widely.

        Festivals are among the characteristics by which nations are distinguished, and
        IT IS NOT PERMISSIBLE TO CELEBRATE THE FESTIVALS OF THE IGNORANT AND THE MUSHRIKEEN (polytheists) as clearly mentioned in the following Hadith:

        Abu Dawood (1134) narrated that Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to Madeenah, they had two days when they would play. He said: “What are these two days?” They said: “We used to play on these days during the Jaahiliyyah.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has given you instead of them two days that are better than them: the day of al-Adha and the day of al-Fitr.”

      • @ I love my religion Islam…

        If you are true to your claim then follow the Prophet(pbuh), as Allah(swt) says:

        SAY (O BELOVED PROPHET, TO THE PEOPLE): IF YOU LOVE ALLAH, THEN FOLLOW ME; ALLAH WILL LOVE YOU AND FORGIVE YOU YOUR SINS, AND ALLAH IS FORGIVING, MERCIFUL. Quran(3:31)
        ————————

        [… TAKE WHAT THE MESSENGER GIVES YOU AND
        *********************************************************
        ABSTAIN FROM WHAT HE FORBIDS YOU.
        *******************************************
        BE MINDFUL OF ALLAH, ALLAH IS SEVERE IN PUNISHMENT." QUR'AN 59:7
        **********************************************************

  4. @ What this has to do with Valentine day.

    Taking part in their festivals also involves imitating the kuffaar, which is forbidden in Islam. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (Reported by Abu Dawood and Ahmad). ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) used to say: “Avoid the enemies of Allaah during their festivals.”
    (Reported by al-Bayhaqi).

    • You really need some education, come out of you own interpretations of Islam.

      People in the world celebrate this day by greeting their love ones such as teachers, staff members, friends. They do not care about any Saint , or its background values.

      If you have so much time and will, then go ahead and teach you fellow Pakistani – how to live in peace and practice in Islam not Talibanisation.

      Let people enjoy, people like you have left nothing for them in Pakistan to enjoy.
      We already have enough Muallah and now creatures like you, May GoD save us from people like you.

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