Every year, just days before Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Malaysia and other parts of the world, Muslim authorities forewarn Malaysian Muslims to refrain from commemorating the ministry of St. Valentine.

Malaysian Muslim clerics argue that Valentine’s Day was first and foremost, a Christian celebration and secondly, a day of promiscuity and when immoral activities are rampant.

This year is no different.

In the text of a Friday prayer sermon provided by the Department of Islamic Development of Malaysia entitled “Beware of the Valentine trap”, it said it is wrong for a Muslim to ask someone to be his or her “Valentine” as it is an act against the Islamic faith and would invoke the wrath of Allah SWT.

In another sermon prepared by the Federal Territory Islamic Department, it claimed that February 14 was celebrated to commemorate the victory of the Christian government in an offensive against the Muslim government in Cordoba, Andalusia, which is modern-day Spain.

“Therefore, is it right for Muslims to celebrate the fall of Islam at the hands of Christians? Should we worship and celebrate the arrogant declaration of a Christian priest?” the sermon was quoted as saying by The Malaysian Insider.

Days before Valentine’s Day, the youth deputy chief of the Islamic opposition party PAS, Nik Abduh Nik Aziz, had called on the government to place an advertisement on the television to create awareness that it was against the Islamic syariat to celebrate February 14.

The anti-Valentine’s Day campaign had also turned political when a member of Parliament from the ruling governmental party commented that PAS had no right to impose its values on others.

According to The Star, MCA Youth Chief Wee Ka Siong said: “This is a democratic multi-racial country. We can’t stop people from celebrating whatever event they wish to celebrate.”

Another political party youth chief, Tan Keng Liang, challenged opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, to check the PAS Youth for creating an issue out of Valentine’s Day. “Anwar should take action if he wants to show Pakatan Rakyat embraces moderation,” he was quoted as saying.

Nevertheless, in Kelantan, a northen state of Peninsular Malaysia where PAS is the state government, its ruler seems to have taken a more inclusive stance. PAS Mentri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said the government intends to turn Valentine’s Day into Couple’s Day.

He said this would be more appropriate as it is in line with Islamic teachings and would strengthen the family institution.