Indonesian cities ban Valentine's Day, 'not part of Islamic culture'

Indonesian cities have banned Valentine's Day after the mayor declared the holiday as unlawful under the Islamic Law.

Illiza Saaduddin Djamal, the incumbent mayor of Banda Aceh, declared that the holiday goes against the teachings of Islam.

According to the Independent, the capital city of Aceh has been organizing rallies calling for the forbiddance of the celebration of Valentine's Day. The rallies were held in four locations in the downtown area of the city.

The mayor stated that the Muslim society should not be celebrating holidays that stem from non-Muslim culture. The ban was also imposed in different cities across Indonesia. Pemuda Muslimin Indonesia, a notable Muslim youth organization in the country, organized rallies to raise awareness about not observing non-Islamic holidays.

Banda Aceh has been strictly imposing the Sharia Law, which practices a tough penal code derived from the teachings of Islam and fatwas, the rulings created by Islamic scholars.

The Daily Mail reported that police had been ordered to arrest anyone who exchanged gifts on Valentine's Day. The Council of Clerics of Indonesia said that February 14 as an observance promoting other religious beliefs.

As Breitbart stated, the law imposed forbade anyone from giving flowers and chocolates to their loved ones. Businesses were also forbidden to display Valentine's Day-related decorations.

Under Sharia law, showing affection in public to a person he or she is not married to is punishable by 5 lashes.

The mayor also forbid celebrating New Year's Eve. In August 2015, unmarried couples were forbidden to ride a motorcycle together.

90 percent of the population in Indonesia believes in Islam, although the government is relatively tolerant and open-minded about other cultures and religions. If a non-Muslim is found to be breaking the law, they will be given the option to choose what law he or she will be under trial.