"The ban is also meant to prevent extra-marital sex among young people as Valentine`s Day is identical with all sorts of things that deviate from religious norms," Yuzamri Yakub, head of Pekanbaru city`s education office, said.Pekanbaru (ANTARA News) - Pekanbaru city`s administration has officially banned the celebration of Valentine`s Day among school students through a circular issued by the local education office.
"The ban on celebrating Valentine`s Day is official, and a letter informing all schools in the city has been circulated," Yuzamri Yakub, head of Pekanbaru city`s education office, said on Monday.
The circular marked the first time for Pekanabaru to ban the celebration and it was intended to make students aware that love towards one`s neighbors should be shown at all times, not just on a particular day, he said.
Information on the ban had been conveyed not only to teachers and students at junior and senior high schools but also at institutes of higher learning in the city, Yuzamri said.
"The ban is also meant to prevent extra-marital sex among young people as Valentine`s Day is identical with all sorts of things that deviate from religious norms," he said.
Earlier, a number of local ulema had also ridiculed the celebration of Valentine`s Day which happens on every February 14 of the year.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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