Every Valentine’s Day in Malaysia is not complete until the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) reminds Muslims that they are prohibited from celebrating the day for lovers.
In its annual social media posting, the federal agency that is responsible for Islamic affairs in the country said Valentine’s Day is not an event that is celebrated in Islam, which therefore makes it foreign to Muslim “culture”.
“Valentine’s Day, which falls on Feb. 14 every year, has never been endorsed in Islam, and it is not part of Muslim culture,” it said.
It also quoted the Prophet Muhammad who said that anyone “who resembles a race, then he is part of them,” indicating that Muslims who practice the customs of other communities become a part of their culture.
JAKIM added that as long as love does not violate shariah law, Islam does not forbid it.
Religious leaders in the area have previously voiced their support for JAKIM’s position on Valentine’s Day, which was once a Christian holiday celebrated to honour a saint but is now heavily commercialised.
They include celebrity preacher Ustaz Azhar Idrus, who has stated that Valentine’s Day, even if “just for fun,” is forbidden for Muslims due to its Christian roots.
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