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Valentine's day as pure imitation and commercialization

Reader comment on item: Valentine's Day in the Muslim World
in response to reader comment: At last a common ground between Hindus and Muslims!

Submitted by Prashant, Feb 17, 2019 at 09:22

Dear Dr Pipes:

I find it kind of stupid when people in Asian and African countries celebrate Valentines Day. Valentines day's popularity in most countries (to some extent even in the Western world) is due to commercial reasons. In most of the countries in Asia and Africa Valentine's day has been popularized during the last quarter of a century by TV channels and commercial establishments. Just as people in the West find over-commercialization of Christmas objectionable, it makes sense if some people in other cultures find it objectionable when a highly commercial cultural concept from the West is thoughtlessly adopted by people who have no direct cultural connection with that concept. But, yes, I will agree that the battle for or against Valentine's day should be in fought in the family living rooms and not on the streets. Commercial establishments like flower shop, restaurants, and TV Channels will support anything that encourages people to open their wallets.

By the way of contrast, India celebrates one day per year as the teacher's day. Partly because emphasis in the Indian culture to revere the Guru, on this day teachers in all schools are honored (for about five minutes in the morning!). How likely it is that in a span of 25 years the whole world starts celebrating Teachers Day with the Indians? Not much I would say. So we wonder what makes Valentine's day so popular so quickly in so many countries of the world.

Submitting....

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Reader comments (21) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
It seems that young people in Egypt celebrate Valentine's day [29 words]dhimmi no moreFeb 14, 2015 09:49221062
Iranian holidays [74 words]AriaFeb 22, 2011 20:01182892
There is no fun in Islam [26 words]JeffJan 26, 2011 13:14182056
1Think "out of box" [98 words]Debanjan BanerjeeJan 28, 2011 20:21182056
VD valentine [54 words]btillyFeb 5, 2011 19:13182056
1To Mr. Banerjee [332 words]JeffFeb 7, 2011 13:39182056
1Is this quote for real? [24 words]howardFeb 14, 2011 16:57182056
Khomeini quote [50 words]JeffFeb 15, 2011 13:04182056
3How sad, the entire islamic world is taught that love is evil ! ..2010 Feb. [58 words]Phil GreendFeb 14, 2010 02:10168877
1In Truth, Valentine's Day Is Based On A Feast Day Of The Saint By That Name [24 words]AnneMFeb 13, 2010 06:53168854
Yet another excuse for islamics to compensate their genetic-hates. [219 words]gordon weareFeb 14, 2009 15:52150457
Valentine's Day [42 words]ElijahFeb 5, 2009 13:18149886
Valentine's Day [30 words]PaulFeb 4, 2009 18:37149826
At last a common ground between Hindus and Muslims! [74 words]B.N.GururajFeb 4, 2009 09:54149796
1valentine day [51 words]btillyFeb 5, 2011 19:21149796
Valentine's day as pure imitation and commercialization [243 words]PrashantFeb 17, 2019 09:22149796
Poor man. [85 words]LynnFeb 4, 2009 09:35149795
Choudary [286 words]Gabby (Australia)Feb 4, 2009 07:57149789
2I'll be your Valentine [63 words]Dr Albert SchadenfreudeJun 26, 2009 19:57149789
Reply to Gabby [352 words]Gabby replyFeb 7, 2011 16:08149789
2valentine [38 words]AminaFeb 28, 2011 06:22149789

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