The Debate on Valentine's Day

 JAKIM to launch Anti-Valentine's Day Campaign

Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz said that Islam was not opposing the celebration of love, but vice activities that usually took place during the celebration.

Wan Mohamad came out and said that Islam does not oppose the festivals and celebrations of other races and religions. He then stated "We just cannot get involved with other religion's worshipping rituals. In a social event, we can always join the non-Muslims, no problem. "Our leaders also attend such an event. Even the muftis attended tea parties organised by their neighbours celebrating Christmas." 
“To suggest that Valentine’s Day is observed by Christians is unfair and misleading. Valentine’s Day is a secular observance that is not celebrated religiously by churches in Malaysia or worldwide," countered the Council of Churches of Malaysia general secretary Reverend Dr Herman Shastri.

DAP’s Teresa Kok said today it was baseless and misleading for a Muslim preacher and the Selangor Islamic Department (JAIS) to link Valentine’s Day to Christians. She stated that such comments are dangerous as they are likely to stir disgust and disdain for Christianity. Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng accused Barisan Nasional of using the ongoing Valentine’s Day row to practice its divide and rule policy on the people. He then pointed out, “If any mischievous person attempts to misuse Valentine’s Day for such activities then it should be banned by all parties, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.”

Through all the statements that has been made, this debate should not have started to begin with. Everyone has the right to choose what they believe in and if their will is right, there should not be anything wrong about it.