Posted on 02/13/2007 9:23:33 AM PST by presidio9
Celebrating Valentine's Day is sinful and forbidden for Muslims, an Indonesian Islamic leader warned.
"This celebration comes from another religion and has no legal basis in the Islamic Sharia law," said Muslim Ibrahim, who is chairman of the highest authority on Islamic affairs in Aceh province.
"Therefore, taking part in celebrating the day of love is haram (forbidden) for Muslims," Ibrahim told the state Antara news agency.
St Valentine's Day is named after a Christian martyr and over the years has become the day on which lovers traditionally express their feelings for each other.
Ibrahim said Valentine's Day went against Islamic teachings and values and was used to overly express love to someone of the opposite sex.
"I hope that the young generation can be proud of our regional culture, which abounds with Islamic values, and can maintain their identity," Ibrahim said.
"I also call on parents to provide guidance to their young so that they do not take part in celebrating that day."
He said anyone still wishing to mark Valentine's Day on Wednesday in Aceh should do so in private.
Aceh is gradually implementing Islamic Sharia law under a broad autonomy package granted by the central government in 2001 to pacify demands for independence in the staunchly Muslim region.
It is the only province in Indonesia, the world's largest mainly Muslim nation, to be allowed to do so.
Maybe OK between a man and his goat ?
Give him the goat every time :) The wife is probably just as happy without the closeness ... if you've spent any time in those parts of the world their standards for hygiene are worse than the French.
What isn't "sinful* for Muslims?
Let me get this straight.
-Valentine's Day is sinful
-Blowing up buildings and crashing airplanes into skyscrapers is NOT sinful
What a f-ed up religion.
"Hey, give me Osama Bin Ladens address, I'll send him a Valentine's card."
"I can't. He's dead."
"Aww, shucks."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.