Many young, urban Pakistanis ignored threats from religious conservatives and celebrated St ValentineÂ’s Day on Wednesday with gifts of red roses, heart-shaped cakes and chocolates, Reuters reported. Some religious groups in the country have condemned celebrating the Christian saintÂ’s day as un-Islamic, and warned of damnation for those who do, but that didnÂ’t put off the romantic, or businesses keen to cash in.
“What is Valentine’s Day except expressing one’s love for someone. What is un-Islamic about it?” asked Huma, a woman student queuing up at a courier firm in Karachi to place a Valentine’s order. Huma was getting a heart-shaped cake sent to her boyfriend.
Gift-shop owner Mohammad Hafeez said ValentineÂ’s cards had been flying off his shelves, thanks in part to the media which he said had been promoting the day much more. In recent years, Pakistani newspapers have put out ValentineÂ’s Day issues full of advertisements aimed at young, well-heeled, urban consumers.
But in the central city of Multan the youth wing of the powerful Jamaat-e-Islami religious party sent out stick-wielding volunteers looking to catch any unmarried couples celebrating the day in parks, hotels and guesthouses. “The government is doing nothing to stop these un-Islamic practices but if we catch anyone we will not spare them,” said Babar Man, leader of the youth group. Maulana Amir Hamza, a senior member of the Jamaatud Daawa, said Valentine’s Day was an attempt to corrupt Muslim youth.
Staff Report from Islamabad adds: Young people from the federal capital also celebrated Valentine’s Day with great fervour. Young girls and boys were seen buying roses, teddy bears, heart-shaped balloons and other gifts. “It is good to have a gift of one’s own choice, therefore we both came to buy gifts,” said Anum Quyyum and her fiancé Luqman Bhatti, who were buying gifts for each other from a shop.