Teenagers protest against Valentine's day in Muslim-majority Indonesia
Teenagers protest against Valentine's day in Muslim-majority Indonesia
Teenagers protested against Valentine's day, holding posters with phrases such as "Sorry Valentine’s Day, I am Muslim," and chanting "Say no to Valentine’s now!"
2 min read
Indonesian Muslim students take part in an anti-Valentine's Day protest in Surabaya [AFP/Getty Images)
Valentine's day was marked with protests and raids in parts of Indonesia, the world's biggest Muslim majority nation.
100 high school students demonstrated in Surabaya, Indonesia's second-biggest city, against the celebration of romantic love, saying it promoted Western decadence and sex outside of marriage.
Protests against Valentine's day are not uncommen in Indonesia. The day is generally seen as un-Islamic, not only for its connotations of sex and foreign influence, but also because Muslims are discouraged from celebrating non-traditional holidays.
The teenagers held posters saying "Sorry Valentine's Day, I am Muslim," and chanted "Say no to Valentine's now!"
Their school principal had warned that exchanging gifts on Valentines day can quickly lead to sin.
"We want to remind our young generation not to be caught up in Western culture," he told AFP.
Indonesian authorities carried out raids in Surabaya and Makassar city on Sulawesi island to clamp down on any celebrations.
A prohibition was issued against the day in the conservative Aceh province - where Islamic law is implemented and people can be publicly whipped for selling alcohol amongst other offences.
Although this represents a growing Islamic influence in the country, many Indonesians are not averse to celebrating the day and exchanged flowers and chocolates to show their affection.
100 high school students demonstrated in Surabaya, Indonesia's second-biggest city, against the celebration of romantic love, saying it promoted Western decadence and sex outside of marriage.
Protests against Valentine's day are not uncommen in Indonesia. The day is generally seen as un-Islamic, not only for its connotations of sex and foreign influence, but also because Muslims are discouraged from celebrating non-traditional holidays.
The teenagers held posters saying "Sorry Valentine's Day, I am Muslim," and chanted "Say no to Valentine's now!"
Their school principal had warned that exchanging gifts on Valentines day can quickly lead to sin.
"We want to remind our young generation not to be caught up in Western culture," he told AFP.
Indonesian authorities carried out raids in Surabaya and Makassar city on Sulawesi island to clamp down on any celebrations.
A prohibition was issued against the day in the conservative Aceh province - where Islamic law is implemented and people can be publicly whipped for selling alcohol amongst other offences.
Although this represents a growing Islamic influence in the country, many Indonesians are not averse to celebrating the day and exchanged flowers and chocolates to show their affection.
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