Bogor's Rejection of Valentine's Day Not Religiously Motivated
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14 February 2020 09:57 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Regent of Bogor Ade Yasin says the West Java regency will not celebrate Valentine's Day as it is not one of many Indonesia’s traditions. She says the celebration is a tradition adopted by locals from the western culture.
“It’s better for our people to avoid celebrating a foreign tradition. There are plenty of local traditions and festivities that we can celebrate,” said Ade Yasin as Tempo reached her on Thursday, February 13.
She argues that Valentine’s Day does not teach positive lessons for people in her region, moreover, she said it actually gives birth to crummy behaviors among Indonesia’s younger generation and said that people do not need to wait for February 14th to show affection to loved ones.
“Just like a family. Every day we show affection to our children, brothers, sisters, husbands, and wives,” she said.
The Bogor Regent denies that her rejection toward Valentine's Day is religiously motivated but more about her fear of seeing Indonesian youths be presented by foreign traditions that it would slowly erode their knowledge about native culture.
Mahfuzulloh Al Murtadho