A university in Faisalabad has sparked quite a debate after announcing plans to celebrate 'Sister's’ Day’ as an alternate to Valentine’s Day.
Zafar Iqbal, the vice-chancellor of Faisalabad Agricultural University, ‘Sisters’ Day’ has been conceived with the aim of promoting respect for women. “Unlike in the West, our religious values encourage respect for women and guarantee protection of their rights,” Iqbal said at a university event last week.
Apparently, male students will be providing their female peers with gifts. However, these aren't any old presents - they're burqas and scarves and people weren't that happy. But it wasn't just the women that spoke up this time.
Valentine's Day ban: Faisalabad university to celebrate 'Sisters' Day' on Feb 14
"Faisalabad University, if you are so concerned about your sisters' well being, why don't you pledge to allow them to inherit equally. I bet that would mean more to them than this monkey's tail of a day," someone tweeted.
#FaisalabadUniversity If you are so concerned about your sisters' wellbeing, why don't you pledge to allow them to inherit equally. I bet that would mean more to them than this monkey's tail of a day.#SistersDay.
— Shaan Taseer (@ShaanTaseer) January 14, 2019
"This is completely irrational. Like celebrating Sister's Day won't stop people from doing what they want to do, creating an opposite event to the existing one will only increase its value. If your purpose is to stop it, it won't," said one user.
Another tweeted, Why can't they just gift them some money and let them decide whatever they want to buy for them. If it's Sister's Day then this is what we do to our sisters. No brother buys her sister any clothes. We give them money and let them decide whatever they want for themselves."
Why can't they just gift them some money and let them decide whatever they want to buy for them. If it's sisters day then this is what we do to our sisters. No brother buys her sister any clothes. We give them money and let them decide whatever they want for themselves.
— bojo (@bitterpakistan) January 14, 2019
If Faisalabad Uni wanted a #SistersDay, they had 364 other days to choose from. To pick 14th Feb, the one day dedicated to non-platonic love shows a desperation and cultural paranoia more than any genuine regard for their sisters. 1/2
— Usama Sarfraz (@UsamaSarfraz19) January 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/AlamSabah/status/1084756102351331328
Some even tried making light of the situation, "
https://twitter.com/mariamawan19941/status/1084457911189995520
Say no to #ValentinesDay say yes to #SistersDay #NayaPakistan for y'all xD pic.twitter.com/CpkyUgbYQM
— Hooryah 🇵🇰 (@Hooryaaah) January 13, 2019
Well, we can't say we didn't see these responses coming. What are your thoughts?
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