Activists of the Islami Jamiat Talibat (IJT) Multan have started a campaign against Valentine's Day and urged girls to stop celebrating it, as it is against religious values. A number of female IJT activists including Nazima Amama Tabassum visited various girls educational institutions, and hostels to deliver lectures and distribute posters.
Tabassum told girls that exchanging cards, sending roses and enjoying romantic candlelight dinners are sordid acts. The IJT was also sending text messages to female student, quoting various references from the holy Quran against Valentine's Day as it is a futile and evil festival being used to justify sinful actions.
IJT female activists have protested several times at various institutions. They have strong influence at Government college for women, Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU)), Nishtar Medical College (NMC) and Quaid-i-Azam Medical College Bahawalpur. Last year, some girls stopped students from celebrating Valentine's Day and asked them imposing a ban on wearing black and red dresses on the occasion.
There is general view that the self-righteous behaviour is giving Pakistan a bad name. There should be freedom of choice in every society. If people want to celebrate Valentine's Day so let them celebrate it. Mahwish Zafar, a student of BZU, said that girls at the university celebrated the event in their own way. "Girls in college dress up on Valentine's Day and have fun. I do not think a male partner is important or necessary to celebrate this event."
She criticised the IJT campaign, saying they were propagating their point of view negatively by pressurising students. "They are trying to deprive females from having enjoyment. 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."
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