Simultaneous Friday-Chap Goh Mei-Valentine's: IT'S A TRIPLE CONSPIRACY - Khairy mocks Muslim ultras

KUALA LUMPUR — Khairy Jamaluddin poked fun at religious conservatives today, saying the convergence of Valentine’s Day and its Chinese equivalent Chap Goh Mei on a Friday was an “atheist conspiracy.”

“Hari Jumaat, Chap Goh Mei, Valentine's serentak. Konspirasi pluralisme illuminati atheist ni,” the youth and sports minister posted this morning on his Twitter account @Khairykj.

[Translation: “Friday, Chap Goh Meh, Valentine's simultaneous. This is a pluralism, illuminati, atheist conspiracy.”]

Khairy’s remarks, though aimed at no one specifically, poked fun at Muslim conservatives who every Valentine’s Day take great pains to remind Muslims of the dangers of becoming a victim, or perpetrator, of immorality, putting them on the side of enemies of Islam.

The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) has been steadfast in its attack on Western practices it perceives as part of a global conspiracy against Islam, singling out ideas such as liberalism, pluralism, feminism, socialism and even positivism.

In its Friday sermon today, Jakim also blamed the celebration of love for causing social ills such as fraud, abortion, baby dumping and alcohol consumption.

In 2005, the National Fatwa Council Committee for Islamic Affairs issued a religious edict banning Muslims from celebrating Valentine’s Day due to its Christian origins, which it said encourages immorality and was forbidden by Islam.

An anti-Valentine’s campaign called “Mind the Valentine’s Day Trap” has also been held by Jakim since 2011, where volunteers approach youths to warn them of the celebration’s alleged danger.

In addition, previous sermons said the day was originally for worshipping ancient Roman deities, or celebrating the fall of Muslim rule in Cordoba, Andalusia, now in modern-day Spain.

The Selangor Mufti’s Office has actively campaigned to stop Muslims from celebrating Valentine’s, Malay-language new portal Harakah Daily reported yesterday.

Citing an official from the state mufti’s office, Mat Jais Kamos, Harakah reported that the celebration could lead to undesirable social problems, and added that such overt proclamations of affection were contrary to the teachings of Islam, which does not specify a single day for love. - Malay Mail