Source: Associated Press
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Officials and clerics in the world’s most populous Muslim nation have banned young Indonesian Muslims from celebrating Valentine’s Day, arguing that the observance runs against Islamic teachings.
In Banda Aceh, the capital of the devout Muslim province of Aceh, thousands of high school students held rallies rejecting the celebration of Valentine’s Day.
Banda Aceh’s mayor, Illiza Sa’aduddin Djamal, and Shariah officials joined Saturday’s rallies, held in four locations in the city’s downtown area.
“The Valentine’s Day celebration has become a culture,” Illiza said. She added that the rallies were aimed at making young people aware that Valentine’s Day is not part of Islamic culture.
The bans were imposed in many Indonesian cities. A similar rally by junior high school students was held in Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city.
In Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province, a noted Muslim youth group, Pemuda Muslimin Indonesia, called on Muslims in the province to stay away from the celebration.
The influential Indonesian Council of Clerics has repeatedly declared the Feb. 14 celebration as an observance stemming from another faith, saying that celebrating it would be the same as promoting faiths other than Islam.
Nearly 90 percent of Indonesia’s 265 million people are Muslims, with most practicing a moderate form of the faith.
Categories: Asia, Indonesia, The Muslim Times
I strongly urge all Muslim scholars around the world ; Dont judge and insult other belief . God condemn those who insult other belief or religion;
Allah condemn those who judge, insult other belief.
if you really want peace in this Earth do not judge and insult others.
There is no peace in Islam if you judge and insult other belief.
Islam is peace, mercy, tolerance, love, compassion, forgiveness, justice for all people, liberty, and prosperity.
“And insult not those whom they worship besides God, lest they insult God wrongfully without knowledge. Thus We have made fair-seeming to each people its own doings; then to their Lord is their return and He shall then inform them of all that they used to do QS 6;108.
This Golden rule is found in Crhristianity and Judaism;
Do not criticize one another, my brothers. Whoever criticizes a Christian brother or judges him, criticizes the Law and judges it. If you judge the Law, then you no longer one who obeys the Law. But one who judges it. God is the only lawgiver and judge. He alone can and destroy. Who do you think you are to judge your fellow-man?
ROMAN 14:10
Why do judge your brother?
Why do you show contempt for your brother?
For we shall all stand before God’s judgment
There for let us not judge one another any more.
Each of us shall account of him self.Roman
1. Do not accuse anyone falsely (exodus.20;16).
2. All of us will stand before God to be judged by Him.(Roman 14:11)
3. James 4:12 God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor.
Surely, your Lord is best aware of those who go astray from His way, and He is best aware of those who are on the right path.QS 6;117
These are the messages we must give the next generation.(our children and grandchildren)
Was salam–With love