For me Valentine's day is not important today. What rather matters is
individuals excessively spending their energy to oppose the idea and their
ability to reason and capacity to understand reasoning. I fail to understand
the social unrest and unrelated debates that this day sparks each year. So I
have decided to share my perspective on this overhyped feast day, which is also
an annual public holiday in many countries.
1. Just by naming our country Pakistan, which means land of the pure, we
all won't become pure entitled to paradise by default. By naming a particular
day after a Christian Saint, don't make those infidels (or Mushrik) who
participate in it.
2. Saint Valentine's Day is not celebrated anywhere in the world in
religious capacity. It is a social festival and practically it has nothing to
do with any religion whatsoever.
3. Just as 1st May due to some historical significance is arbitrarily
chosen as Labour Day by many countries, 14th February is taken globally as
Lover's Day or the day when people express their love.
4. Just like Mother's Day, Father's Day, Siblings Day etc this day is
considered a de facto day to express your feelings. Since we celebrate all such
days (none of which are part of our religion or culture) along with
international community to show solidarity. It makes more sense to do that in
this scenario too.
5. Just like we can neutralise and culturalize any social festivals, we
can also rebrand or customise the Valentine's Day as per our religious
teachings and cultural norms. We can educate people about the extents or limits
that are permissible in our religion.
6. Just as globally red is considered as colour of love and people use
red roses, chocolates and teddy beard to express the emotion. We can arbitrary
chose whatever represents us best for the occasion too. You can even present
your sweet heart with a warm freshly made bowl of "Doodh Jalaibi" or
"Ghulam Jamuns".¨
7. The day is all about
expressing or re-expressing your love. Hazrat Khadija (1st lady in Islam)
purposed Muhammed PBUH for wedding (which he accepted). There is no harm if a
nice gentleman sends a message to your daughter or sister. This is not adultery
by any standards.
8. It may not be necessary to associate a specific day to express love.
But a dedicated occasion can encourage some shy, introvert and socially awkward
to overcome their fears and express easiy. This idea is universally encouraged
as not everyone watches Bollywood movies and is romantic.
9. If one of your uncles consume 10 Kg meat on Eid ul-Adha and he dies
of heart attack, you can't blame Eid ul-Adha for his misconduct. Similarly if
some nymphomaniacs book a hotel room to mingle on 14th February it is wrong to
abuse the whole idea.
10. The day generates significant economic activity which is good for
economy. It is mostly poor people in our society who sell balloons and flowers
on such day. We could always donate something along to help them an extra mile.
This generosity will impress our loved one too.
11. Culture and traditions evolve all the time. 100 years ago no one was
celebrating Valentine's Day in our country. But neither was anyone cutting
cakes on birthdays or having 33 functions on occasion of wedding.
12. 70% marriages in Pakistan are either 1st or 2nd cousin marriages. In
many states in America, China and many countries cousin marriages are banned
due to health risks. Even Prophet PBUH encouraged marriages outside cast, tribe
etc. This day can be used to know potential partners who fall outside our usual
social circles.
Remember either you can dictate the teens who are going though natural
hormonal changes or you can educate them and provide them a channel or platform
to make better choices. Honour killing is an integral part of our society and
still considered a virtue in our tribal cultures. Spreading hatred, extremism
and painting the whole thing in black and white using religion can't do any
good to our already suffering society. Spread love, kindness, compassion,
tolerance, empathy and joy on this day. Written by: Talha Mahmood Sheikh
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