JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Muslim clerics are suggesting Indonesians skip Valentine's Day celebrations.
Cleric councils have banned celebrations in Banten and Palembang provinces. The Aceh Assembly of Clerics said celebrating the Western cultural event would be inappropriate for Muslims.
Aceh council Chairman Teungku Muslim Ibrahim said Monday many things about Valentine’s Day run against Islamic teachings and norms.
Indonesia is a secular but mostly Muslim nation of 240 million people. Aceh is the only Indonesian province where Islamic law is imposed.
Dozen of members the pan-Islamic movement Hizbut Tahrir rallied against the Valentine’s Day in West Java town of Sukabumi.
