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Commercial Day
Reader comment on item: Hating Valentine's Day
Submitted by Ahmad (Malaysia), Feb 14, 2007 at 01:52
Valentines Day is nothing to do with religion. Its a commercial day.
There is still disagreement over the origin of Valentines Day. However there is historical evidence that Feb 14th was celebrated in pre Christian Days and similar actions (drawing names from a bowl) was carried out as was done in the early days of Celebration of the day now celebrated as Valentine's Day in the early 17th Century.
The question for us Muslims is not whether we like the day or not. We simply do not believe that one needs a speical day to celebrate love.
The controversy is for a commecial reason. Millions of dollars are made on Feb 14th by selling flowers, cards jewelry and chocolates. Hence by Muslims not celebrating the day, it is revenue lost to capitalists.
Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".
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Reader comments (164) on this item
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Title | Commenter | Date | Thread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| something valentine, somthing musilm [73 words] | some muslim guy | Feb 14, 2011 12:46 | 182663 | ||
| of course islamists hate Valentine's Day, it is about love ! [197 words] | Phil Greend | Jun 7, 2009 23:16 | 156988 | ||
 Valentine is not about love but an excessive lust [240 words] | Wildan | Feb 12, 2010 04:42 | 156988 | ||
| pity [97 words] | Shaima | Feb 14, 2010 08:19 | 156988 | ||
| responding to of course islamist hate valentines day it is about love/ by phil greend [175 words] | mister omalley | Aug 12, 2012 17:34 | 156988 | ||
| Valentine is nothing but consumerism and cheap sex [79 words] | Right! | Jan 19, 2009 22:36 | 148476 | ||
| 2 | we must come out from mental slavery of west [68 words] | syed mohammad ali | Feb 19, 2008 07:46 | 120517 | |
| 2 | Culture Killer [137 words] | A Fed-Up Malay | Aug 28, 2009 16:00 | 120517 | |
| 1 | Valentines Day [97 words] | T.J. | Jun 27, 2007 01:42 | 101675 | |
| NOT HATING BUT WHY 1 PATICULAR DAY... [440 words] | merziyah | Feb 19, 2007 10:59 | 77917 | ||
| Well-said. (End) [8 words] | Omar Kaj | Feb 25, 2007 16:20 | 77917 | ||
| SO RIGHT!!!! [16 words] | Sara | Oct 27, 2007 12:47 | 77917 | ||
| Would you fast on ramadhan? [129 words] | Amy/Amina Myer | Feb 12, 2008 14:03 | 77917 | ||
| I don't get it [88 words] | Anonymous | Oct 28, 2008 18:07 | 77917 | ||
| Totally Agree [60 words] | Oduniyi Yunus | Feb 14, 2009 03:07 | 77917 | ||
| Valentine beheaded [49 words] | JJJoseph | Feb 14, 2007 20:58 | 77250 | ||
| What's the problem? [200 words] | Neill Wylie | Feb 14, 2007 14:18 | 77191 | ||
| who are you describing [25 words] | Terry | Feb 24, 2007 18:30 | 77191 | ||
| Re: who are you describing [12 words] | Omar | Feb 28, 2007 08:37 | 77191 | ||
| observations [63 words] | pattyomalley | Aug 17, 2012 09:45 | 77191 | ||
 Commercial Day [132 words] | Ahmad | Feb 14, 2007 01:52 | 77127 | ||
| Educate yourself [135 words] | Sarah | Feb 12, 2007 21:33 | 76966 | ||
| Valentine's Day = Roman origin [96 words] | Omar Kaj | Feb 14, 2007 12:00 | 76966 | ||
| Valentine's day [98 words] | JoJo | Feb 15, 2007 15:32 | 76966 | ||
| Re: Valentine's day [82 words] | Omar Kaj | Feb 20, 2007 12:43 | 76966 | ||
| how pathetic.... [126 words] | donvan | Nov 29, 2007 16:30 | 76966 | ||
| Nothing surprises me anymore. [31 words] | Kathy | Feb 10, 2007 08:06 | 76698 | ||
| Moral Policing [330 words] | XXX | Feb 16, 2006 04:04 | 35900 | ||
| Valentine's Day Unneeded by Moslem [92 words] | Husni | Feb 12, 2006 21:27 | 35304 | ||
| valentines day [140 words] | sushma | Feb 14, 2006 01:16 | 35304 | ||
| Moslems MUST and ALWAYS love other Moslems........... [100 words] | Timothy | Feb 19, 2007 22:01 | 35304 | ||
| tolerating traditions [36 words] | Mrx | Feb 22, 2007 03:45 | 35304 | ||
| WHAT !? [187 words] | Timothy | Feb 22, 2007 21:51 | 35304 | ||
| normal response [168 words] | Terry | Feb 24, 2007 18:23 | 35304 | ||
| What can I say [6 words] | Terry | Feb 24, 2007 18:33 | 35304 | ||
| Think [342 words] | Rehman Baig Mirza | Apr 1, 2007 09:40 | 35304 | ||
| Not Agree with this tradition! [7 words] | Gul Nabi | Feb 12, 2008 21:52 | 35304 | ||
| Valentine's day an unislamic tradition [163 words] | Seeme Nazir | Feb 14, 2008 08:38 | 35304 | ||
| Valentine's Day boycot is muslim country reason. [115 words] | faiz khan | Feb 1, 2006 01:36 | 33365 | ||
| Re: Valentine's Day boycott is muslim country reason. [38 words] | Omar Kaj | Mar 1, 2007 13:20 | 33365 | ||
| valentine day-islam- muslim festivals [336 words] | fiazfazili | Feb 14, 2008 05:36 | 33365 | ||
| No problem! [183 words] | Neena | Dec 30, 2005 14:33 | 30800 | ||
| Valentine's day in Mumbai, India [359 words] | K. Agarwal | Mar 28, 2005 17:20 | 21192 | ||
| What will they ban next? Christmas? [18 words] | Seema | Feb 10, 2009 12:55 | 21192 | ||
| Hating Valentine's Day [75 words] | Pat | Feb 11, 2005 14:48 | 20274 | ||
| valentine - and so what [112 words] | meena | Feb 16, 2006 09:47 | 20274 | ||
| Valentine's Day [43 words] | Jonathan | Mar 8, 2004 21:40 | 14121 | ||
| Valentine is totally against the islamic teachings [226 words] | Salim | Mar 6, 2007 06:03 | 14121 | ||
| Muslims [116 words] | Proud to be an infidel! | Jul 27, 2007 04:29 | 14121 | ||
| reply [44 words] | salim | Jul 28, 2007 06:58 | 14121 | ||
| Not so simple [319 words] | Arun Gupta | Mar 1, 2004 21:37 | 14034 | ||
| 4 | Malaysian Muslim Hypocrites [174 words] | Tom Peters | Feb 28, 2004 04:40 | 14015 | |
| Behaviour of people [158 words] | Leo | May 16, 2006 21:14 | 14015 | ||
| individuality [123 words] | dfwhite19438 | Feb 12, 2007 15:49 | 14015 | ||
| beyond belief [116 words] | Terry | Feb 24, 2007 18:46 | 14015 | ||
| accusation [87 words] | miranda | Nov 26, 2007 09:46 | 14015 | ||
| Get the fact right [104 words] | Consuella | Mar 30, 2009 09:31 | 14015 | ||
| Valentine's Day [231 words] | MLJulia Sallette | Feb 22, 2004 16:14 | 13966 | ||
| Islam is TRUTH: [89 words] | Yusuf | Feb 20, 2004 04:14 | 13943 | ||
| Holiday Based On A Certain Christian Saint [108 words] | AnneM | Feb 18, 2007 17:39 | 13943 | ||
| What is the point? [111 words] | Dagmar | Feb 19, 2004 16:34 | 13939 | ||
| In the dark [33 words] | Ted | Feb 19, 2004 16:29 | 13938 | ||
| Valentine's Day [135 words] | Harden Ervin | Feb 18, 2004 08:24 | 13920 | ||
| "200 arrested in Mina for celebrating Valentine's Day" [43 words] | Adam Greaves | Feb 17, 2004 23:53 | 13917 | ||
| Be more Mature [185 words] | Dib | Feb 14, 2006 01:43 | 13917 | ||
| Governments and their people [19 words] | Muhammad Siddiqui | Feb 17, 2004 23:39 | 13916 | ||
| no need for valentine's Day [28 words] | mounir | Feb 19, 2006 11:38 | 13916 | ||
| Opposition to Valentine's Day is not hate [164 words] | Project2012 | Feb 17, 2004 19:17 | 13913 | ||
| So what? [91 words] | Peter J. Herz | Feb 17, 2004 18:34 | 13912 | ||
| Commenter Peter J. Hertz has missed the point [176 words] | Adam Greaves | Feb 17, 2004 23:34 | 13912 | ||
| Sorry [169 words] | Terry | Feb 24, 2007 19:39 | 13912 | ||
| Traditional Jews have problems with Valentine's day too [93 words] w/response from Daniel Pipes | Mo | Feb 17, 2004 17:01 | 13911 | ||
| Re: Daniel Pipes replies: [56 words] | Omar | Feb 28, 2007 09:06 | 13911 | ||
| Off the point [149 words] | Terry | Mar 1, 2007 15:52 | 13911 | ||
| Down With Love [173 words] w/response from Daniel Pipes | J. Keen Holland | Feb 17, 2004 16:32 | 13909 | ||
| Boycott of Valentine's Day in Muslim countries [92 words] | A.A | Feb 17, 2004 13:57 | 13905 | ||
| VD [215 words] | Kalsoom | Feb 13, 2006 11:40 | 13905 | ||
| Valentine's day [15 words] | hadi | Feb 8, 2009 20:18 | 13905 | ||
| Valentine's Day - the 'Indian Reaction' [398 words] | O.K. Sudesh | Feb 17, 2004 13:45 | 13904 | ||
| Happy Valentine day 2007 [766 words] | Mike Ghosue | Feb 14, 2007 11:36 | 13904 | ||
| Another Point to Be Made [187 words] | Debbie Walls | Feb 17, 2004 13:25 | 13903 | ||
| Valentines day and islam [73 words] | Dan Katcher | Feb 17, 2004 12:55 | 13901 | ||
| 1 | ISLAM IS A PERFECT WAY OF LIFE [82 words] | abdul muiiz | Feb 12, 2006 19:41 | 13901 | |
| dk [21 words] | samia | Feb 13, 2006 11:55 | 13901 | ||
| valentines day in islam? [271 words] | masood | Feb 9, 2007 12:36 | 13901 | ||
| 3 | "Some examples why Islam is not a perfect way of life" [355 words] | Lactantius Jr. | Feb 18, 2007 19:55 | 13901 | |
| Not holding my breath [299 words] | Terry | Feb 24, 2007 19:13 | 13901 | ||
| Re: "Some examples why Islam is not a perfect way of life" [3166 words] | Omar Kaj | Feb 28, 2007 17:06 | 13901 | ||
| "Is Islam peaceful and peaceloving. What do Islams most authoritative documents say?" [2748 words] | Lactantius Jr. | Mar 5, 2007 18:19 | 13901 | ||
| Re: "Is Islam peaceful and peaceloving. What do Islams most authoritative documents say?" [92 words] | Omar | Mar 7, 2007 08:11 | 13901 | ||
| part 2 [933 words] | Omar | Mar 8, 2007 02:43 | 13901 | ||
| Where will we find peace? [2281 words] | Lactantius Jr | Mar 9, 2007 19:21 | 13901 | ||
| THINK A LITTLE!!! [193 words] | Sara | Oct 27, 2007 12:40 | 13901 | ||
| "Give us some examples of just how peaceful Muhammad was" [43 words] | Lactantius Jr. | Nov 6, 2007 11:40 | 13901 | ||
| Lactantius Jr. [202 words] | abdul muiiz | Nov 27, 2007 14:41 | 13901 | ||
| Here we go again, the usual moslem resort [20 words] | Klew | Nov 27, 2007 20:28 | 13901 | ||
| Please explain [65 words] | Lactantius Jr. | Nov 28, 2007 04:02 | 13901 | ||
| ramble on.... [162 words] | donvan | Nov 28, 2007 17:02 | 13901 | ||
| in your words [57 words] | abdul muiiz | Nov 30, 2007 02:56 | 13901 | ||
| Please give us some examples of just how peaceful and peaceloving Muhammad was [66 words] | Lactantius Jr | Dec 19, 2007 05:38 | 13901 | ||
| understanding! [58 words] | abdul muiiz | Dec 19, 2007 23:33 | 13901 | ||
| still waiting [14 words] | abdul muiiz | Dec 19, 2007 23:40 | 13901 | ||
| 2 | "Do Islam's most authoritative documents say Muhammad was a terrorist?" [2990 words] | Lactantius Jr | Jan 14, 2008 16:05 | 13901 | |
| Lactantius Jr "Do Islam's most authoritative documents say Muhammad was a terrorist?" [1903 words] | abdul muiiz | Jan 17, 2008 19:22 | 13901 | ||
| Does "Islam" mean peace? was Islam spread by the sword? was Muhammad a terrorist? [170 words] | Lactantius Jr. | Feb 4, 2008 15:14 | 13901 | ||
| sad [186 words] | nadia | Mar 3, 2008 06:13 | 13901 | ||
| "Glad not sad" [3975 words] | Lactantius Jr. | Mar 9, 2008 16:19 | 13901 | ||
| Lactantius Jr. ..............even nadia (15yrs old) knows! [23 words] | abdul muiiz | Apr 23, 2008 17:01 | 13901 | ||
| Lactantius Jr.....bully? [184 words] | abdul muiiz | Apr 23, 2008 17:19 | 13901 | ||
| Our dear Abdul Muiiz rabina yu3alimuhu al-lugha al-3arabiya [188 words] | dhimmi no more | Apr 24, 2008 07:07 | 13901 | ||
| "Lactantius Jr.................bully?" a response [252 words] | Lactantius Jr. | Apr 24, 2008 17:26 | 13901 | ||
| now we can have a productive debate, Lactantius Jr [90 words] | abdul muiiz | Apr 24, 2008 19:46 | 13901 | ||
| response [342 words] | Nadia | Apr 25, 2008 01:01 | 13901 | ||
| Our dear abd al-mu3iz and his big time falsafa [217 words] | dhimmi no more | Apr 25, 2008 06:51 | 13901 | ||
| "Response with corrections" [600 words] | Lactantius Jr | Apr 27, 2008 15:44 | 13901 | ||
| "Let amicable discussion continue" [153 words] | Lactantius Jr. | Apr 27, 2008 15:49 | 13901 | ||
| like i said [32 words] | Nadia | May 1, 2008 04:29 | 13901 | ||
| Dhimmi no more, you want my time, OK, hope you can handle it, " Our dear Abdul Muiiz rabina yu3alimuhu al-lugha al-3arabiy'" [530 words] | abdul muiiz | May 2, 2008 17:02 | 13901 | ||
| Our dear 3Abd al-mu3iz [69 words] | dhimmi no more | May 3, 2008 08:53 | 13901 | ||
| "knowing religion and knowing Jesus Christ" [186 words] | Lactantius Jr. | May 3, 2008 17:13 | 13901 | ||
| lantatius jr , lantatius jr [30 words] | abdul muiiz | May 3, 2008 17:59 | 13901 | ||
| " Our dear Abdul Muiiz rabina yu3alimuhu al-lugha al-3arabiy'" response 2 [124 words] | abdul muiiz | May 3, 2008 20:21 | 13901 | ||
| Our dear 3Abd al-mu3iz you still did not answer my question [31 words] | dhimmi no more | May 3, 2008 21:28 | 13901 | ||
| Does "Islam mean peace?" [445 words] | Lactantius Jr | May 6, 2008 17:35 | 13901 | ||
| 2 | "Was Islam Spread By The Sword?" [4489 words] | Lactantius Jr | May 6, 2008 17:46 | 13901 | |
| 3 | "Let There Be No Compulsion In Religion" [1732 words] | Lactantius Jr. | May 6, 2008 17:59 | 13901 | |
| 2 | "Islam is the fastest growing religion in America and Europe" a response [564 words] | Lactanius Jr. | May 6, 2008 18:07 | 13901 | |
| dissolving your assertions [44 words] | abdul muiiz | May 7, 2008 16:13 | 13901 | ||
| Does "Islam mean peace?"....abdul muiizs' response to Lanctantius Jr [141 words] | abdul muiiz | May 8, 2008 12:09 | 13901 | ||
| the fastest growing religion in world [49 words] | muhamed | Jan 21, 2010 11:17 | 13901 | ||
| Awesome!! [20 words] | Agentblackdiamond | Feb 16, 2010 05:00 | 13901 | ||
| 1 | "Even more Awesome" [484 words] | Lactantius Jr | Feb 17, 2010 18:08 | 13901 | |
| Why does Islam provide a "complete way of life," and Christianity doesn't? [34 words] | Lactantius Jr | Feb 20, 2010 12:03 | 13901 | ||
| Come to Istanbul and see [109 words] | Corak | Apr 1, 2010 19:20 | 13901 | ||
| late reply [41 words] | Agentblackdiamond | Feb 18, 2011 05:03 | 13901 | ||
| islam [17 words] | adnan | Dec 28, 2012 04:16 | 13901 | ||
| Islam & Valentine's Day [66 words] | Mark Alexander | Feb 17, 2004 10:32 | 13898 | ||
| Restricting valentine day is not paranoia [247 words] | saima sadia | Jan 28, 2006 12:53 | 13898 | ||
| Americans' need to feel loved by everyone on earth [53 words] | paul gilbert | Feb 13, 2006 05:17 | 13898 | ||
| Open Mind [16 words] | Abdul Rahman | Feb 15, 2006 05:09 | 13898 | ||
| Valentine-phobia [237 words] | Josh | Feb 15, 2007 16:10 | 13898 | ||
| Valentine Day Nonsense!!!! [88 words] | Proud Indian | Feb 16, 2007 01:20 | 13898 | ||
| hello [25 words] | Salim | Mar 7, 2007 05:23 | 13898 | ||
| Valentines Day [15 words] | T.J. | Jun 27, 2007 02:37 | 13898 | ||
| Anti-Valentine's Day [16 words] | Qareena Karim | Feb 8, 2008 10:25 | 13898 | ||
| why should valentine? [40 words] | denis | Feb 10, 2009 21:57 | 13898 | ||
| valentines day [57 words] | kiani | Feb 14, 2009 04:54 | 13898 | ||
| don't celebrate valentine day [11 words] | shahid akhtar khan | Feb 13, 2010 17:44 | 13898 | ||
| 1 | Valentine's Day - You Missed on This One [89 words] w/response from Daniel Pipes | Brian Kheel | Feb 17, 2004 10:20 | 13897 | |
| Insight [13 words] | WPLV | Feb 17, 2004 09:19 | 13895 | ||
| The need for perspective [63 words] | S. Feldman | Feb 17, 2004 09:06 | 13894 | ||
| RE: The need for perspective [265 words] | R.L. | Feb 18, 2004 14:30 | 13894 | ||
| WHAT ARE U AFRAID OF [115 words] | Kathy | Feb 10, 2007 08:25 | 13894 | ||
| Re: WHAT ARE U AFRAID OF [82 words] | Omar Kaj | Feb 18, 2007 02:47 | 13894 | ||
| Repetition [80 words] | Terry | Feb 24, 2007 19:21 | 13894 | ||
| Terry, have a reality check [190 words] | Omar Kaj | Feb 25, 2007 15:39 | 13894 | ||
| P.S. ... [46 words] | Omar Kaj | Feb 26, 2007 01:52 | 13894 | ||
| reality check [72 words] | Terry | Feb 26, 2007 16:45 | 13894 | ||
| Re: reality check [307 words] | Omar Kaj | Feb 27, 2007 03:48 | 13894 | ||
| By the way... [42 words] | Omar Lak | Mar 1, 2007 13:49 | 13894 | ||
| what drivel [127 words] | Terry | Mar 1, 2007 15:39 | 13894 | ||
| End of story [72 words] | Terry | Mar 1, 2007 18:11 | 13894 | ||
| Re: what drivel [259 words] | Omar | Mar 2, 2007 08:26 | 13894 | ||
| "none of which would convince or even interest you? [104 words] | Omar | Mar 2, 2007 09:50 | 13894 |
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