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| Arabia |
| Fatwa Against Valentineâs Day |
| 2004-02-14 |
| Saudi religious authorities have warned the public against celebrating Valentineâs Day or selling gifts related to the feast, Al-Riyadh reported yesterday. âIt is a pagan Christian holiday and Muslims who believe in God and Judgment Day should not celebrate or acknowledge it or congratulate people on it,â an edict issued by the Fatwa Committee said. âThere are only two holidays in Islam â Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha â and any other holidays, whether to celebrate an individual, group or event, are inventions which Muslims are banned from,â said the committee, headed by Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh. Some Friday prayer leaders gave sermons warning of the dangerous effects of the day on young Muslims. âCelebrating such an event will create an identity crisis in the minds of our youngsters,â said one religious leader. âAny Muslim who celebrates this day is not fully aware of the first chapter of the Holy Qurâan we read in every prayer.â âA Muslim is prohibited from celebrating, approving or congratulating on this occasion,â said the ruling issued by the Fatwa Committee. Supporting others to celebrate the day such as buying or selling Valentineâs items, presenting gifts or making festival food falls in the category of approval. Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Ghaith, president of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, has also issued a warning against celebrating Valentineâs Day or the âfeast of love.â Al-Ghaith has instructed his officials all over the Kingdom to keep a watch on shops selling roses and other gift items to celebrate the occasion. âYou should also enlighten Saudi citizens on the danger of this custom, which is alien to our society, and make them aware of its negative effect,â Al-Madinah daily quoted the religious police chief as saying. The late Sheikh Muhammad Al-Othaimeen had issued an edict against celebrating the day and the edict had been widely circulated among Muslims. âA Muslim should be proud of his religion and do not imitate others blindly,â Al-Othaimeen said. |
| Posted by:Mike Sylwester |
| #1 "a pagan Christian holiday" Ah well, I guess if they can call the Islam the "religion of peace", why not? |
| Posted by: B 2004-2-15 7:17:45 AM |