MULTAN,Feb 13th:Activists of the Islami Jamiat Talibat (IJT) Multan have started an aggressive campaign in female institutions all over the city against Valentine’s Day, Basant and Jashan-e-Baharan, and want their “sisters” to stop celebrating Western festivals, as “it is against religious values”.The female IJT activists led by Nazima Amama Tabassum, who are visiting various girls’ educational institutions, including hostels, to deliver lectures and distribute posters, are highlighting how exchanging cards, sending roses and enjoying romantic candle-lit dinners are “sordid acts”. They are also sending text messages to female students in this connection, quoting various references from the holy Quran, and saying that Valentine’s Day is a futile and evil festival used to justify sinful actions. To highlight their message they are sending out a strong and clear message, “ Safe your precious time, money and values for you and your success in this world and the hereafter. Don’t waist them in Basant, Valentine day and Jashn-e-Baharaan.” IJT female activists are known for having protested several times at various institutions. They have considerable influence at places such as Government college for women , Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU)), Nishtar Medical College (NMC), and Quaid-i-Azam Medical College Bahawalpur .Last year, some all-girls educational institutions stopped their students from celebrating Valentine’s Day by imposing a ban on wearing black and red dresses on the occasion. Saima Hameed , a student of BZU appreciated the IJT campaign as she thought it was necessary for public chastisement. “The occasion talks about love and passion, which are considered sacred in Islam. Broadcasting such feelings is forbidden in our religion.”Another supporter, Rafia Fatima, said she completely agreed with the actions these religious activists were taking. “They are saving us from going to hell,” she said. However, Maha Younasa, a student of NMC, strongly condemned these actions. “People should be able to do whatever they want. IJT activists have a problem with virtually everything. They have already managed a ban on Basant, which is an integral part of our culture. This self-righteous behaviour is exactly what gives Pakistan a bad name. Freedom of choice should be present in every society – if people want to celebrate Valentine’s Day, so be it.”Mahwish Zafar , a student of BZU, said that girls at her university celebrated the event in their own way. “Girls in college dress up on Valentine’s Day. They cut cakes together, and have fun generally. They do not think a male partner is important or necessary to celebrate this event with.”
She criticised the IJT campaign, saying they are propagating their point of view negatively by pressurising students. “They are trying to deprive females from entertainment. Celebrating Valentine’s Day is a personal matter, and there is nothing wrong with it. I don’t think celebrating this event has anything to do with religion.”