It’s not that they would decline to celebrate it themselves that is noteworthy, but that they called for a ban on it. Sharia is, after all, where “government knows best” meets “Allah knows best,” and consequently offers unlimited license to mind other people’s business.
“Russian Muslims call for ban on Valentine’s Day,” from Agence France-Presse, February 11 (thanks to Twostellas):
MOSCOW – Muslim leaders in Russia have called for believers to boycott Saint Valentine’s Day, saying it “preaches universal permissiveness, amorality and nihilism.”
Saint Valentine might beg to differ. But even observing the holiday in its traditional context as the feast day of a saint would be plenty haram.
A council of Muslim leaders in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region released a statement Wednesday calling for a “ban” on celebrating Valentine’s Day, which is growing in popularity in Russia although it is not an official holiday.
“We call on all believers and sensible people to say no to celebrating this day, since it contradicts not only the norms of Islam, but also recognised human morality,” the statement said.
The Muslim leaders also appealed to head teachers at the region’s schools to cancel celebrations for “moral and ethical reasons.”
Little known a decade ago, Valentine’s Day is now big business in Russia, with stores selling heart-shaped trinkets and cards and restaurants laying on special menus.
In 2008 the wife of President Dmitry Medvedev, Svetlana Medvedeva, launched a rival holiday called the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity, which emphasises Orthodox Christian traditions.
Under Sharia, that would also be forced underground.