Celebrations on the rise despite scholar's warning

Doha: Couples are gearing up to celebrate Valentine's Day today with romantic dinners and gifts amid warnings by Muslim scholars against what they define as "dangerous pagan practices".

Qatari restaurants are offering special Valentine dinner menus and a romantic atmosphere tonight, while major hotels have organised live entertainment, raffles and parties reserved for couples only. Florists have been working frantically for the past week to accommodate special orders to be delivered today. But the preparations have prompted scholars to denounce the risks posed by what they called a Western cultural invasion and the consequent deviation from the traditional religious values.

Cultural invasion

"All those who support the celebration of Valentine's Day should be reminded that it was a pagan concept prevalent in the Roman Empire before the emergence of Christianity. It is unfortunate that many of our youth are attracted by the concept of dedicating a day for love and romance. Islam is above such attempts to symbolise sensuous feelings," said Shaikh Abdullah Al Bakri addressing worshippers at the Omar Bin Khattab mosque last Friday.

"This is a form of cultural invasion from the West. It seeks to erode our morals and values especially among our younger generation."

Some Qatari youth responded to the preacher's call.

"Muslims should avoid celebrating Valentine's Day out of loyalty and respect for their religion. But there is so much marketing of the feast here that it causes a loss of identity. It is for sure a form of cultural invasion," Maha, a Qatari national, told Gulf News.

Mariam, a Qatari working in a Governmental department, agreed that Muslims should not join a celebration which is not recognised by their religion.

"I personally wouldn't celebrate also because I do not think there should be a timeline to show love to our dear ones...But honestly I wouldn't mind receiving flowers!" she added.

Religious connotation

Despite religious calls, the celebrations seem to have taken root as a festive occasion void of any religious connotation.

"Valentine's is a day for all, regardless of their religion. It is an occasion to dedicate some quality time to those we love and remind them of how we feel, whether they are family members, partners or friends. I do not think it has anything to do with a Western cultural invasion," said Dana, a young Qatari.

Yakar, a Muslim girl from Turkey, said "love, like art and music, has neither nationality nor religion."