Pakistani president urges nation to snub Valentine's Day
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 13 February 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Pakistani president urges nation to snub Valentine's Day, 13 February 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/570cdeef6.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 13, 2016
Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain has urged his nation not to observe Valentine's Day, denouncing the romantic holiday as a Western import.
"Valentine's Day has no connection with our culture and it should be avoided," Hussain told students at a ceremony celebrating a nationalist leader.
Hussain urged the young people to focus on their studies instead.
Despite its roots as a Christian holiday, Valentine's Day has gained popularity among Pakistanis, prompting hard-line Muslim clerics to call for a ban on the celebration.
The northwestern city of Peshawar, near the Afghan border, has reportedly banned Valentine's Day celebrations.
Authorities in the conservative northwestern Kohat district also instructed police to halt any celebrations of Valentine's Day.
Local media reported earlier in the week that Islamabad would outlaw the holiday as an "insult to Islam," but city officials later said such a ban could not be enforced.
Based on reporting by Reuters, AFP and dpa
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
