Over 80 Muslims arrested for celebrating Valentine's Day in Malaysia

[News_Editor]

Over 80 Muslims arrested for celebrating Valentine's Day in Malaysia

2011-02-16 00:08:15 GMT+7 (ICT)

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA (BNO NEWS) -- More than 80 Muslims were detained in Malaysia during a Valentine's Day operation carried out by the Islamic morality police, the Malaysia Star reported.

In Selangor alone, the state religious department rounded up 80 people for committing khalwat or close proximity, an Islamic law that prevents unmarried Muslims from being alone with someone of the opposite sex.

Another 61 people were also hauled up during the nine-hour operation for indecent behavior and had been enlisted for counseling sessions with the department, an official spokesman said.

The operation called Ops Valentine, which began on Sunday night and ended early Monday, involved officers from the local authorities and the National Anti-Drug Agency.

Officials visited recreational lakes and public parks in Selangor, and raided budget hotels. The Federal Territory Islamic Affairs Department also conducted a similar operation in Kuala Lumpur, in which officers visited popular dating spots and also raided hotels.

A department spokesman said eight couples, aged between 20 and 50, were nabbed for khalwat. Those arrested could be jailed for up to two years if convicted.

Selangor's Education, Higher Education and Human Resources Development committee chairman Dr Halimah Ali had said that the problem of illicit sex was becoming increasingly serious and named Valentine's Day, Merdeka Day and New Year's Eve as being the traditional days when couples met up and engaged in illicit sex.

In 2005, Malaysia's Islamic authorities issued a fatwa to prevent Muslims from celebrating Valentine’s Day since it is associated with vice activities that are prohibited in Islam.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-02-16

[rizla]

Can we comment, or is this being posted for information or propaganda insited racisim.....regards

[rikki]

I dont know why malays stand for such nonsense

It looks more and more like they can only marry and have sex with someone chosen for them by their parents etc, not anyone they are in love with

Edited February 16, 2011 by rikki

[Thaddeus]

The Joy of Sects.

[brahmburgers]

"Islamic morality police"

....is that the same sort of police, with similar monikers, which gang rape young girls found outside their homes unescorted?

Let's face it, it's a paranoid unsure-of-itself religious sect which maintains its membership by cowing them into fear. If Muslims were free to think for themselves and/or research other religions, and/or leave the fold if they so choose, there would be few Islamists left to recruit jihadists and fit them with bomb belts.

[koheesti]

In 2005, Malaysia's Islamic authorities issued a fatwa to prevent Muslims from celebrating Valentineâ€s Day since it is associated with vice activities that are prohibited in Islam.

Love is prohibited by Islam? Giving flowers? Going to dinner with someone of the opposite sex?

Edited February 16, 2011 by koheesti

[otherstuff1957]

Titles like "Morality Police" just give me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside..... not!

[Hawaiian]

What morals? Strapping on explosives to brainwashed martyrs to be? Killing innocent people in the name of an ungodly religion? Bunch of sickos!

[rizla]

I know what Geert Wilders would make of it.................

[doggie888888]

It's stories like these that give Islam a bad name. When I was in KL, I could not be more surprised at how open, modern and moderate they are. Many muslims there do drink, fornicate and do whatever the rest of us do...they just device ways to escape being caught by the so-called "morality police" whose members are as "deviant" as the rest of us behind closed doors. In Bangsar, within sight of the local mosque, yuppie Malays drink away merrily...they pay the carpark jockeys a tip to sound the alarm when the "morality police" are close-by. It's quite funny to witness when this happens as drinks are passed around to non-muslims to "nurse" and fruit juices appear for the muslims. Heaven help them if they get caught though.

[krading]

Modern day 'Prohabition' with same effect.

[brahmburgers]

It's stories like these that give Islam a bad name. When I was in KL, I could not be more surprised at how open, modern and moderate they are. Many muslims there do drink, fornicate and do whatever the rest of us do...they just device ways to escape being caught by the so-called "morality police" whose members are as "deviant" as the rest of us behind closed doors. In Bangsar, within sight of the local mosque, yuppie Malays drink away merrily...they pay the carpark jockeys a tip to sound the alarm when the "morality police" are close-by. It's quite funny to witness when this happens as drinks are passed around to non-muslims to "nurse" and fruit juices appear for the muslims. Heaven help them if they get caught though.

So, 'they're like the rest of us.' I agree. Indeed, I would venture to say the average Muslim is even more cheery and hospitable than the rest of us. That's my impression in Chiang Rai, where some of my favorite people here are Muslims. Every time we greet each other it's with sincere smiles, laughter and joy. So why are is there such dichotomy between the lovely cheerful Muslims I know here, and the ever-angry vindictive Muslims we hear about in daily news headlines?

I could venture some answers, but it would take up too much bandwidth. Basically, they're people who are no better nor worse than the rest of us mortals. Unfortunately, they're cowed and manipulated by a mean-spirited minority who force them to suppress their natural inclinations. It's like children living in a house with an abusive and ultra-suppressive father. Sad but true.

[RusticCharm]

It's stories like these that give Islam a bad name.

I think the numerous terrorist acts as well as public stonings, hangings and general barbarism has also something to do with it. 

[doggie888888]

It's stories like these that give Islam a bad name.

I think the numerous terrorist acts as well as public stonings, hangings and general barbarism has also something to do with it.

Agreed...the religion needs a new PR/marketing strategy! Even a complete makeover! As brahmburgers said, everyday muslims are as ordinary as the rest of us. Personally, I do know a few and they are as appalled as non-muslims at the shenanigans of their religious leaders. A bit like many Catholics being quite embarrassed by the Pope and/or the cover-up of sexual abuse by the clergy...and being quite powerless to effect any immediate change.

[geriatrickid]

I know what Geert Wilders would make of it.................

That he would object to the draconian imposition of state violence and the abrogation of fundamental civil liberties?

[PoorSucker]

[Huey]

It's stories like these that give Islam a bad name. When I was in KL, I could not be more surprised at how open, modern and moderate they are. Many muslims there do drink, fornicate and do whatever the rest of us do...they just device ways to escape being caught by the so-called "morality police" whose members are as "deviant" as the rest of us behind closed doors. In Bangsar, within sight of the local mosque, yuppie Malays drink away merrily...they pay the carpark jockeys a tip to sound the alarm when the "morality police" are close-by. It's quite funny to witness when this happens as drinks are passed around to non-muslims to "nurse" and fruit juices appear for the muslims. Heaven help them if they get caught though.

So, 'they're like the rest of us.' I agree. Indeed, I would venture to say the average Muslim is even more cheery and hospitable than the rest of us. That's my impression in Chiang Rai, where some of my favorite people here are Muslims. Every time we greet each other it's with sincere smiles, laughter and joy. So why are is there such dichotomy between the lovely cheerful Muslims I know here, and the ever-angry vindictive Muslims we hear about in daily news headlines?

I could venture some answers, but it would take up too much bandwidth. Basically, they're people who are no better nor worse than the rest of us mortals. Unfortunately, they're cowed and manipulated by a mean-spirited minority who force them to suppress their natural inclinations. It's like children living in a house with an abusive and ultra-suppressive father. Sad but true.

You find the same dichotomy with Christians as well. Between your average Christian and your Jesus freak., they kill innocent people in the name of their god too, but today is Islam's day to be the "bad religion"

Now that being said, screw these morality police, the Malay people need to stand up for themselves against that shit.

[koheesti]

Roo has a bar?