Love Day in a Land of Laws
17 February 2011
Oh, Valentine's Day. Some of us hate it; some of us welcome the sparkles, sweets and sap as a breath of cheer in a long and dreary winter season. Many people choose to boycott the big V, considering it a totally commercial holiday celebrated only for the benefit of greeting card companies. But all in all, Valentine's Day is pretty innocuous. For me it usually passes with the over-consumption of homemade chocolates (thanks Dad) and a nice evening with friends/boyfriend/family depending on the year.
There are some parties in Indonesia who do not see the Day of Love as quite so innocent. Believing that celebration of Valentine's Day might lead to kissing (gasp) or even pre-marital sexual relations, the Islamic political party MUI has proclaimed V Day as haram, or forbidden. Some Muslim clerics also hold that since Valentine's Day is linked to St. Valentine, it is a Christian holiday, making it innappropriate for Muslims to celebrate.
On the 14th, an interactive section of the Jakarta Post printed letters from readers in response to this declaration. Some comments basically said, "Who cares what the MUI thinks? We also can think for ourselves," while some of the letters agreed completely that Valentine's Day is immoral and should be banned.
Strange that anyone cares, since my Indonesian friends and students informed me that almost no one celebrates Valentine's Day other than middle school students, and what opportunity do 13-year olds have to "engage in sexual relations" in Indonesia? Not much. Definitely less opportunity than 13-olds in the US, I'm guessing.
Then again, I did see several couples out having candlelit dinners on Monday (and wearing matching couples T-shirts), and my buddy told me that on Valentine's Day, the number of condoms sold at convenience stores shoots through the roof. I'm thinking, That's terrific! People are using condoms! But the MUI probably doesn't share my enthusiasm.
At least Indonesia's practice of religious tolerance prevents the federal police from taking drastic measures like in Malaysia, where under Islamic law, 100 couples were arrested for celebrating V Day. The Jakarta Globe article talks about the public campaign, "Mind the Valentine's Day Trap" set up to encourage people not to celebrate the holiday and engage in "vice activities."
Doesn't the Malaysian special police have more important things to worry about than some red construction paper and chocolate-flavored smooches? But we aren't the only ones thinking that the show of force on a day meant to celebrate caring is ridiculous. As the human rights lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar tweeted, "Happy V Day. Am so happy for a government that micro-manages my life and does all my thinking."
If I were the government, I'd be worried that my people would go eventually go brain-dead from not ever having to exercise decision-making skills. A country without creative thinkers = a country without entrepreneurs. That can't be good for Malaysia's 'Tiger Economy,' now can it?
All because of a little love.
There are some parties in Indonesia who do not see the Day of Love as quite so innocent. Believing that celebration of Valentine's Day might lead to kissing (gasp) or even pre-marital sexual relations, the Islamic political party MUI has proclaimed V Day as haram, or forbidden. Some Muslim clerics also hold that since Valentine's Day is linked to St. Valentine, it is a Christian holiday, making it innappropriate for Muslims to celebrate.
On the 14th, an interactive section of the Jakarta Post printed letters from readers in response to this declaration. Some comments basically said, "Who cares what the MUI thinks? We also can think for ourselves," while some of the letters agreed completely that Valentine's Day is immoral and should be banned.
Strange that anyone cares, since my Indonesian friends and students informed me that almost no one celebrates Valentine's Day other than middle school students, and what opportunity do 13-year olds have to "engage in sexual relations" in Indonesia? Not much. Definitely less opportunity than 13-olds in the US, I'm guessing.
Then again, I did see several couples out having candlelit dinners on Monday (and wearing matching couples T-shirts), and my buddy told me that on Valentine's Day, the number of condoms sold at convenience stores shoots through the roof. I'm thinking, That's terrific! People are using condoms! But the MUI probably doesn't share my enthusiasm.
At least Indonesia's practice of religious tolerance prevents the federal police from taking drastic measures like in Malaysia, where under Islamic law, 100 couples were arrested for celebrating V Day. The Jakarta Globe article talks about the public campaign, "Mind the Valentine's Day Trap" set up to encourage people not to celebrate the holiday and engage in "vice activities."
 |
| Signs that say "Beware the Valentine's Day trap!" in Malaysia, courtesy Times of Pakistan |
Doesn't the Malaysian special police have more important things to worry about than some red construction paper and chocolate-flavored smooches? But we aren't the only ones thinking that the show of force on a day meant to celebrate caring is ridiculous. As the human rights lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar tweeted, "Happy V Day. Am so happy for a government that micro-manages my life and does all my thinking."
If I were the government, I'd be worried that my people would go eventually go brain-dead from not ever having to exercise decision-making skills. A country without creative thinkers = a country without entrepreneurs. That can't be good for Malaysia's 'Tiger Economy,' now can it?
All because of a little love.
4 comments:
omg i'm getting us matching couples t-shirts.
i thought you & Leah already HAVE matching couples' T's
Whoa, we never celebrated Valentine's Day, St. Patty's Day, or Halloween growing up because "since Valentine's Day is linked to St. Valentine, it is a Christian holiday, making it inappropriate for Jews to celebrate."
That's super interesting, Leah! I didn't know that was true in the US too. I'll have to tell my students :)
Post a Comment