Muhyiddin: Jakim’s message is meant for Muslims only

February 12, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR 12 Feb — The Islamic Development Department’s (Jakim) message on Valentine Day celebrations is directed solely at Muslims, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today.

“It is to inform Muslims that the celebrations are not suitable for them, which does not mean that we want to demean Valentine’s Day or disrespect other communities,” the Deputy Prime Minister told reporters here.

He hopes that there was no misunderstanding caused by the advice from Jakim director general Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abd Aziz, who called on Muslims yesterday to stay away from Valentine’s Day celebrations and to avoid indecent behaviour.

Muhyiddin (left) said: “There are practices that are regarded as suitable by others but not so in Islam because of their nature and the history associated with them.”

Although Valentine’s day is often associated with a Christian saint, some legends concerning it pre-dates Christianity. Many churches say that the day is not religiously observed in Malaysia or worldwide

On the plan by PAS Youth to have “immorality checks” on Valentine’s Day in opposition-ruled states of Kedah, Kelantan and Selangor, Muhyiddin said that such action is rather extreme.

“As Muslims, we emphasise advice. Don’t ruffle the sensibilities of communities for whom the celebrations have become a practice,” he said.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said Valentine’s Day celebrations should not have any religious connotations.

“Celebrating Valentine’s Day is just to strengthen relationships, not necessarily between young couples but also between old married couples,” he said. — Bernama