Islamic authorities in Malaysia in 2005 issued a fatwa to warn Muslims against celebrating Valentine's Day, saying that the occasion could lead to vice activities, especially pre-marital sex.
The edict has been enforced since then. The federal-level Malaysian Islamic Development Department, better known as Jakim, also launched a campaign entitled Mind The Valentine's Day Trap, urging Muslims to stay away from all programs associated with Valentine's Day.
The Selangor State Islamic Religious Department, one of such authorities nationwide, conducted a raid with the help of local police in budget hotels from midnight to 6am yesterday.
Officials arrested more than 200 Muslims for celebrating Valentine's Day, the department said in a statement, without elaborating.
It said 80 of them would be charged in the Shariah Court for defying the department's ban against the celebration of lovers' day.
The rest either dispersed or agreed to be counseled. Explaining the ban on Valentine's Day celebrations, Jakim had said Muslims are not allowed to observe the special day as it is linked to Christianity, which irked certain groups including non-Muslim political parties.
The Malaysian Chinese Association political party said people who linked the special occasion to immoral activities were "bigots" and "enemies of the state."
The reaction in the Malay community is mixed. Some Malays urged their friends via Facebook and Twitter not to observe the celebration of lovers' day.
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