A DIRECTIVE from the Sabah Fatwa Council in 2006 prohibiting Muslims in Sabah from celebrating Valentine's Day was reposted on the Sabah Mufti's Facebook page, sparking criticism among netizens.
The directive, which has since been removed, claimed that Valentine's Day has elements rooted in the Christian religion, associating it with practices forbidden in Islam.
A netizen, AD Felex Datu, said the Sabah Mufti must be more cautious in issuing statements and ensure they are clear and always preserve the racial harmony enjoyed in the state.
Valentine's Day is an annual celebration dedicated to expressing love and affection, marked by the exchange of cards, gifts, and romantic gestures among friends, family, and romantic partners.
Azmi Gabriel said the Mufti's Office should not be quoting other religions and linking them to negative concepts like sin, overlooking the sensitivities of Sabah's diverse population.
“The administrators of the State Mufti's Office Facebook in Sabah seem to have overlooked the "sensitivity" of the people in the state.
“The Facebook page administrators should remember that in Sabah, we have more than 50 ethnicities, diverse cultures, traditions, and religions. Do not play with issues that can damage the harmony of Sabahans,” he said.
Azmi said it was best to provide informative reminders without offending the beliefs of others.
Another netizen, Michael Frederick said the Sabah Mufti's Office would be better off simply stating 'Muslims are prohibited from celebrating Valentine's Day.’
“Why do you have to link Christianity with sin?” said Frederick, adding that the Mufti's office should be mindful of the sensitivity of those who follow the Christian faith.
Sabah Mufti Datuk Bungsu Aziz Jaafar when contacted said the flyer had been withdrawn due to technical issues, stating that a new flyer has been issued.
There are 834,734 Christians; 173,241 Buddhists; 2,379,216 Muslims; and 2,948 Hindus in Sabah according to the 2022 census from the Statistics Department. – The Vibes, February 14, 2024
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