Jakim launching anti-Valentine’s Day campaign

(The Star) – The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) is launching an anti-Valentine’s Day campaign Friday.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom said the campaign would be launched during a forum, “Awas – Jerat Valentine’s Day” (beware of Valentine’s Day trap) in Putrajaya Friday night.

Apart from members of the public, Jakim has also invited 1,000 students from higher learning institutes to participate in the discourse.

Jamil said the National Fatwa Council had, in 2005, decreed that Muslims should refrain from celebrating Valentine’s Day, as it was not part of Islamic practices.

On PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hasan Tantawi’s offer to work closely with religious authorities to check sinful activities at favourite lovers’ spots around the country on Valentine’s Day, Jamil said it was not advisable for them to do so.

“Their (PAS Youth’s) presence may cause unnecessary tension.

“They should leave it to the relevant authorities to carry out their duties,” he said.

Nasrudin had said that the wing was prepared to assist religious authorities to promote healthy sin-free lifestyle.

Meanwhile, Jakim will also provide anti-Valentine’s Day flyers and stickers to be distributed in campuses in the run up to the celebration on Feb 14.

Jakim public relations officer Asiah Alkharib Shah said the awareness campaign would be extended to all the states.

“We will be giving piles of flyers and stickers to raise awareness on the Valentine’s Day trap to the university students attending the discourse.

“We want the students to pass the flyers to their friends and university mates in campuses,” she added.