Valentine Day…Does it really matter?
“Observing MAD following of Western Occasions, our Cultural revival seems to be a Dream…
Let’s try to accomplish this revival and not go to grave carrying this dream”
Celebrating Valentine’s Day has been a notorious topic in Pakistan society and carries huge opposition from many segments. Every year, we see insightful debates going on this topic as whether to celebrate 14th Feb as Valentine’s day or not? Yet we fail to see any agreement of society on this topic, government who is busy in Jamhooriyat and Aamriyat also has no time to declare any verdict. And I am talking about a society which consists of over 95% of Muslims…
While this blog is written in light of my overall experience of 14th February as a Pakistani, talking about this year; I observed atmosphere (in Pakistan) via social media and TV Channels. This year, so many people seem to so be busy doing something to celebrate this important/holy day. Special broadcasts were aired by the TV channels receiving loads of messages in which people expressed love for their loved ones.
We saw many companies trying to attract huge customers through attractive Valentine Day packages specially gift packages including souvenirs, flowers and chocolates. We saw special deals from courier companies, we saw attractive dressing of book shops and shopping malls; all flooded in the RED color. Be it TV channels or various super stores, everybody was interested just in selling their ‘Manjan’ and make most profit out of this wonderful opportunity…But excuse me, did anybody for a second thought of relevancy of Valentine’s day with Pakistani Culture/traditions, moral values and aftermaths for today’s generation??? I would regard this as unfaithful as a seller who raises his prices in Ramadan and is only interested in making money without caring for moral values and his religious/social obligations…
Many people say we are only remembering our parents, spouses and other relatives/friends on 14th February, however this remains a fact that it mainly represents the romantic feelings amongst the couples be it unmarried/Na-Mehram lovers OR husband wife. All Muslims would agree (whether they do this or not) to the fact that open/free mixing up of Na-Mehram men and women should be avoided in light of Islamic guidelines. Let’s consider one example for married couples from Quran Majeed:
Allah says: “It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of the fasts. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them…” [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 187]
The word Clothing is a very important here if somebody wants to understand. Husband wife personal relationships must be kept secret from others. Clothes keep a “Parda” between you and society and are a mark of Sharm-O-Haya. Word Clothing depicts the fact that Husband and Wife should be Guardian of each other and all ways. Contrary to this, on 14th February we saw needless expression of love over the TV channels where Husband and Wives were openly expressing their feelings. Does this benefit us in any way?
Then we saw a clash event happened in Peshawar University. One group was celebrating ‘Haya Day’ and other was busy in Valentine’s Day. Both clashed and few students got serious injuries. In absence of any direction/guidance; openly letting young generation do whatever they want will keep such events going on forever…
Some people say that there is no point opposing these western trends in Pakistan society and we should be enlightened enough to accept what has already been practiced by many. Agreed! all this is a ground reality but if majority is doing it; that does not means its right…We must raise our voices within our capacities to save our culture…I m not talking in the air…’Kalma Tayyab’ written on the face of parliament house and Objectives resolution in our constitution, all these are not a joke; its a reality, better to realize sooner rather than later…Celebrating a day which has nothing to do with our society or culture…nobody to blame for, all involved are responsible in eroding our beautiful culture and traditions!
Maintaining our genuine things be it our Languages, Dresses or celebrating festivals should be our major aim in way of developing Pakistan. Because this path will never mortify us in front of anyone least it would provide us moments of pride every now and then. As Iqbal rightly said:
“Apni Millat pe Qayaas Aqwaam-e-Mughrib sey na ker
Khaas hei Tarkeeb mein Qaum-e-RASOOL-E-HASHMI(S.A.W)”