Land of contradictions: Valentine’s Day sparks celebrations, protests

Some celebrated Valentine’s Day with balloons and flowers, but others denounced the holiday as an insult to Islam.

ISLAMABAD:

Some in the country celebrated Valentine’s Day on Thursday with balloons and flowers, but others denounced the holiday as an insult to Islam.

In Karachi, billboards decorated with a black heart urged citizens to “Say no to Valentine’s Day”.

“This tradition reflects insensitivity, indignity and ignorance of Islam,” the signs read. They were put up by a group affiliated with the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI).

“Valentine’s is against Islamic culture. In our view, relationships are sacred. We have arranged marriages in this culture and people don’t get married for love,” said Syed Askari, a spokesman for JI. “This is imposing Western values and cultures on an Islamic society.

“Look at the West – people love their dogs but throw their parents out when they get old. We don’t want to be like that.”

In Peshawar, a handful of people burnt Valentine’s Day cards in front of television cameras. Women wearing black robes held signs denouncing the tradition.

The state broadcasting regulator, Pemra, urged broadcasters to “respect viewers’ sentiments”.

“Pemra has been receiving complaints from a large segment of society that Valentine’s Day celebrations are not in conformity with our religious and cultural ethos and has, therefore, condemned its unequivocal propagation through media,” the statement said.

However, in Islamabad, hawkers selling heart-shaped balloons staked out street corners and florists were doing a brisk trade.

“Valentine’s Day is good for business,” said a grinning Mohammed Ajmar as he handed a customer a huge heart made of red roses and glitter.

“I’m happy with Valentine’s Day. The city is full of flowers and it looks nice,” said 21-year-old student Faateh Khan, who was buying roses for his mother. 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15^th, 2013.