Valentine’s Day Gets a Major Lineup in Indonesia
In the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, Friday saw more than just flowers and chocolates at the ready – it was a full-on brawl of opinions. The secular celebration that many picture as pure romance was poked at by students, schools, and the state, all waving their for‑or‑against banners like a packed stadium.
Surabaya Students Throw a Thrown‑In Protest
- What’s the main message? “Say no to Valentine’s now!” – a chant that echoed through the halls of a high school in Surabaya, the country’s second‑largest city.
- Most of those who marched were girls – picture a crowd of school‑girls holding up signs that read, “Sorry Valentine’s Day, I am Muslim.”
- The principal, Arief Himawan, warned that a simple chocolate exchange could be a slippery slope toward sin. “I want to keep our young folks away from that Western influence,” he told AFP.
Police Hunt for Random Romance in the Streets
- Surabaya wasn’t alone. In Makassar on Sulawesi island, authorities followed a similar agenda, aiming to put a stop to any surreptitious gift‑gifting.
- It was a clean‑cut crackdown: checkpoints were set up, and anyone who attempted a quick romantic detour was met with a swift no‑no.
Age‑Old Rules Mixed With Modern Flavors in Aceh
- In the province of Aceh – the only region that actually enforces strict Islamic law – a fresh order declared Valentine’s Day a no‑go. The decree referenced “religious norms” and came after the region’s history of whipping people for alcohol sales or same‑sex acts.
- Yet, not all Indonesians live under the same strictness. Many practice a moderate faith, dropping chocolates and flowers on their loved ones with a grin.
India’s Own Valentine‑Independent Mission
- Meanwhile, in India, more than 10,000 schoolchildren (some as young as six) at 25 schools in Gujarat pledged to never marry without parental consent. The teachers got in on the vow, too.
- “I will always respect their decision because no one in the world has sacrificed for me like them,” declared a 12‑year‑old student named Samadrita Banerjee.
- For villagers in Karnataka, the “Valentine’s Day” disdain extended to parents being warned that their kids shouldn’t skip classes for mall shopping or a movie run.
Between the outraged chant of “We do not love Valentine’s day” and the state’s attempt to ban the chocolate chain, cultural clashes painted a vibrant picture of how a global romantic holiday can hit a decidedly different wall in both Indonesia and India.
