Hardline Islamists look to ban Valentine's Day

Hardline Islamist groups and the Salafist Dawah in Suez have launched a campaign condemning Valentine's Day. They have warned against wearing red items on February 14 to mark the day, urging people to pray in mosques and form "Islamic committees" to prevent celebrations. The leaflet, entitled "The Prohibition of Celebrating Valentine's Day," includes the text of a fatwa by late Salafist scholar Mohammed ibn al-Uthaymeen. Among the reasons listed for the prohibition in the fatwa are the holiday having no basis in Sharia, its promotion of lewdness and "preoccupying the heart" with petty matters that infringe on Islam's teachings. The fatwa prohibits participating in any aspect of the holiday, including food, clothing or gifts. Members of hardline Islamist groups also advised those attending evening prayers  to form "Islamic committees" to work alongside "societies for the promotion of good and prevention of evil". They warned sellers of hearts and stuffed toys from participating in "promoting debauchery and fornication with their goods and warned young people against "following such heresies."