Khabar Southeast Asia

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Clerics warn against Valentine's Day in Indonesia

By Andhika Bhakti for Khabar Southeast Asia in Jakarta

February 20, 2014

Young women promote hijab use in an anti-Valentine's Day protest in Malang, East Java. [Aman Rochman/AFP]

Young women promote hijab use in an anti-Valentine's Day protest in Malang, East Java. [Aman Rochman/AFP]

Valentine's Day is increasingly controversial in Indonesia, where some Muslims consider it un-Islamic, foreign, and potentially corrupting.

"The clergy completely reject Valentine's Day. Don't institutionalise it on Indonesian soil, where the majority are Muslims," Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) head K.H. Amidhan told the Jawa Pos News Network.

"Youth often use the opportunity to become involved in irresponsible drinking and driving. That is not Islamic and that is not what we want to see," warned Tangerang, West Java cleric Fatwa Suprapto.

Riau and other provinces barred Valentine's Day events in local schools.

"It is not Islamic, and we want to give a good example for our children," the head of MUI in Riau, Lukman Syarif, told Khabar Southeast Asia by phone. "Our country and our religion have nothing to do with this celebration."

Other ways to express love

Islam does not specify a particular day to express love for others, clerics pointed out-- underlining positive ways to do so any day of the year.

"Here in Tangerang, many youth collect books to help children in need," Fatwa explained. "Other communities are teaching their residents to explore different skills such as how to make handicrafts or to cook for the poor."

Some Indonesian university students mounted a campaign to promote modest dressing, declaring February 14th instead should be "Worldwide Cover Your Aurat Day", Merdeka.com reported.

Hundreds in East Java attended anti-Valentine's Day protests staged by extremist group Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI).

"We want to educate our children what we think is correct according to Islam," said Hartini, participating with her 13-year-old daughter. "We have to stop our children from being part of the lost world of Valentine's Day."

Alternate views

Not all Indonesians held the same strong views on the subject.

Siti Budiarti, a 25 year-old Kediri resident said Valentine's Day came to Indonesia as part of globalisation. "If we do not agree with it, we can just simply avoid it," she told Khabar.

"I personally am neutral on this celebration, because I think for those in a relationship, Valentine's Day can be used to express appreciation to the person that we love," she said. "It does not mean that we have to go partying or drinking."

Budianto Himawan, a Tangerang shop owner, said he benefits from Valentine's Day sales, and hopes people would appreciate the event to help local businessmen like him.

"For me, Valentine's Day is a recovery day. My store sells chocolates. After New Year our sales usually drop close to 50% until Valentine's approaches," he told Khabar. "Therefore, I am grateful for that day of love.

"There is no wrong or right on judging Valentine's Day. Everybody has a different opinion. This is not our culture, but certainly we can appreciate it," he added.

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