Valentine's Day: A Muslim View
Chocolates, flowers, hearts, cards, and romance:
these are the ingredients that make up the annual celebration of
Valentine's Day every February 14.
On the surface, these are
lovely things. But in reality, the occasion promotes the culture of
free sex and male-female
relations from a specific point of view.
Although
Valentine's Day is supposed to be a celebration in honor of St.
Valentine, who was killed because of his opposition to free sex, its
origins
and its adoption by Christians as a holiday is really a dishonor
to this saint's memory. Islamic scholar Abdullah Hakim Quick explains
the pagan origins of the day in the video Holiday
Myths.
You can find plenty of ways to turn around some of
the ideas advocated by Valentine's Day. One of these is with
practical resolutions.
There are also ideas Muslim
communities can use to make others, especially young people,
question the beliefs and concepts associated with V-Day.
You
can also make others think about Valentine's Day by using one of the
occasion's own methods of propagation: cards.
Like everything Western, Valentine's Day is also showing up in many
Muslim countries. Challenge this latest import by sending our version
of valentine
cards to loved ones and friends.
Finally, if you're under the illusion that this is an
adult celebration, think again. Kids in public
schools are indoctrinated into certain cultural expectations
about male-female behavior and peer acceptance -through Valentine's
Day.
Don't let this February 14 pass without a greater
awareness of the story behind those lovely chocolates, cards, and
flowers. There's more to it than meets the eye.
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